William "Bill" Bailey

William “Bill” E. Bailey , 71, passed away in Okeechobee, FL on April 9, 2025 where he enjoyed many years of vacationing and fishing.

He is survived in Kentucky by his loving wife, Virginia “Gigi”, his beloved son Jason (Jennifer), and his beloved sister Linda (Mike) Gorham. He also is survived by his loving grandchildren, Austin (Ashley) Bailey, Taylor Bailey and Abby Bailey, as well as one nephew Greg Gorham. Also, he leaves behind his beloved, loyal pet dogs, Bae and Shine.

He was preceded in death by his parents Emery M. and Barbara Green Bailey.

He lived most of his life on Herrington Lake, where his wife Gigi and son Jason still reside. His work life included many different venues, and if it involved engines or motors, he was an ace mechanic. His first love of motors began with diesel engines. He was taught by some of the best and they were old school. In his younger years, he worked for United Service Co. in Lexington, where his responsibilities included servicing equipment in the coal mines of Eastern, Ky. He worked for Van Dusen Aircraft (now TACAIR) at the Bluegrass Airport where he ran the service shop for several years before starting his own business, Bailey’s Service Connection, where he would return to his love of marine mechanics on Herrington Lake. His latest business was BABCO, where he did contract work on all the ground equipment for Allegiant Air at Blue Grass Airport. He developed many friendships on the lake, and his love for the lake never waned.  Another one of his passions was His love for Harley Davidson Motorcycles (His last bike being a beautiful Police edition Ultra).  He was a Charter member of the Lexington HOG (Harley Davidson Owners Group) and continued comradery when few of his closest friends started a motorcycle club on the lake called The Wet Bottom Boys. He was a long time member of the Herrington Lake Yacht Club, along with his wife Gigi. He enjoyed many good years on his cruiser, which he kept at Kamp Kennedy Marina. In his final years he became heavily involved with the Masonic Fraternity, which he enjoyed immensely. He rose up through the ranks and at the time of his death, he was the sitting Worshipful Master at Lincoln 60 Lodge in Stanford. He was also a member at 4 other lodges including His home Lodge Harrodsburg 777, Franklin 28 (Danville, KY), Lancaster 104, and Rocky Ford 765 (Hustonville, KY).

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, as well as Masonic Rites and we will keep you informed. These dates will be posted when the dates are determined by the family.

Bill would want any donations either given to your local Masonic Lodge to help local charities or sent to Treasure Coast Hospice @ TreasureHealth.org where they took great care of him during his final days.