John William "Jw" Bailey Sr.

John William “JW” Bailey Sr., a native and longtime resident of Mobile, Alabama, passed away at his home on Monday, March 21, 2016. He passed away at the age of 77 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. His parents, three brothers, Charles, Ben and James Wesley and a sister, Dorothy Ketchum, preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Edith Faye Naron Bailey; children John Bailey, Jr. (Lori), Diana Collins (Jerry), and Janea Watson (David). Eight precious granddaughters also survive him: Victoria, Bailey, Claire, Anna, Caroline, Reylee, Isabella and Reygan. Two sisters, Mary Emma, and Patsy also survive him.

JW served his country for 6 years in the United States Army and Army Reserve in the Intelligence Signal Corp. He was employed with International Paper Company and retired after 38 years of service without a single day taken for sick leave. He owned several small businesses including Bailey Electric, BASCO Concrete Company, and Bailey Heating and Air. He was well-known as a constant piddler and connoisseur of treasures, better known as another man’s junk. He worked many hours providing for his family, but was always there when you needed him. His strong work ethic was impressionable to all who knew him.

He will be remembered for the many years he spent coaching and attending pageants, programs, and recitals. He spent countless hours working at Faith Academy High School preparing the ball fields. He loved Alabama Football, hunting, fishing, and Elvis. Most importantly he loved his family and always stressed the importance of education and hard work to his kids.

The family would like to thank his dedicated caregivers Mrs. Sonya, Mrs. Mamie, Cody, and Saad’s Hospice.

Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Radney Funeral Home in Saraland on Saturday March 26, 2016 at 10AM. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday March 25, 2016 from 5 until 8PM. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org/).