William L. Bailey Jr.

July 18, 1934 – September 26, 2021

We honor the inspiring life of WILLIAM (BILL) L. BAILEY JR. Bill will be cherished and remembered through the legacy of his family and friends. Please feel free to leave an encouraging message or a positive memory of Bill with the family.

William “Bill” Leonard Bailey Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada passed away on the evening of September 26, 2021 at the age of 87. Born in Wetumpka, Alabama on July 18, 1934 to William Leonard Bailey Sr. and Clelia Merle Newton, he was the oldest of 4 boys. Growing up he was a supportive brother and loving son, always looking out for his younger brothers and his mother. He graduated from Wetumpka High School in 1952 and then went on to attend the University of Alabama where he was in the ROTC and studied Business Administration, graduating in 1956. Upon graduation he joined the United States Air Force and became a pilot.

While Bill was at college he met Charlotte Lee Hocker. They were married in 1956 and together had a son, David Hocker and daughter, Katherine Lee.  The children grew up all over the US living in 6 states and overseas in Germany, as the family moved around for Bill’s military career. He served in the Vietnam War flying troops in C130s for a year. Bill proudly served in the Air Force for 22 years until he retired as a Major.

After his retirement from the Air Force, he settled down in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980, where he lived until his death. He was always a hard worker and after retiring from the military enjoyed a decade long career with Cox Cable until he reluctantly retired at the age of 72.

In 2000, Bill met the love of his life Linda Moody. They enjoyed many years of love and laughter together. In 2012 the two soul mates were married, this blessed union also brought the addition of two bonus daughters into Bill’s life, Jeree and Reechelle.

He loved his family fiercely and although he was strict when his children were young, he softened with age and was a very supportive and caring father to David and Kathy. He loved his grandchildren and would tease them just to get them to smile. He never forgot a birthday and always called with well wishes and a little sarcasm. He had a giving heart, something he passed on to his children, and was always willing to help someone in need.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother David. He is survived by his loving wife Linda, two brothers Jimmy (Dot) and Kenneth (Mellanie), his children, David and Kathy (Scott), bonus-daughters Jeree Moody and Reechelle Moody-Lawson. Also by his beloved 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A private family memorial will be held inside the Celebration Lounge at Inspired Life Memorials and Cremations, located at 311 N. Buffalo Dr., Suite B Las Vegas, NV 89145.

A live stream of the memorial service will be on the Inspired Life Memorials & Cremations Facebook page. You can access the service here:

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Finspiredlifememorials%2Fposts%2F831007014211933&show_text=true&width=500

Service will start at 5:00 PM PST