William Ray Bailey

HEYBURN – William Ray Bailey, 99, of Heyburn, passed away Wednesday, July 5, 2017, at Pomerelle Place in Burley.

Ray born April 16, 1918, in Richmond, Cache County, Utah, to Parley Hawkins and Mary Jane (Roderick) Bailey. He was the seventh child born in the family which eventually numbered 11 children with nine of them growing to maturity; a brother, Parley, and a sister, Susannah, died in infancy before Ray was born making him the middle child of the surviving nine.

The family moved to Rupert in February 1923, where he attended school and graduated in 1936. He then attended Albion State Normal School in Albion. He marred Irma Sarepta Thaxton in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on Dec. 14, 1938. They were the parents of seven children.

Ray was a successful businessman for 40 years retiring in 1979. He was a devoted husband to Irma, a helpful son to his parents, Parley and Mary, a dependable provider and protector of his family, and a kind and helpful brother to his siblings. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served is many responsibilities and callings including as bishop of the Heyburn 2nd Ward and as the Rupert West Stake Patriarch.

He is survived by his children, Irma Jeanne Heiner, Joan Ashby, Dee Ray (Sylvia) Bailey, Marilyn Bailey, Lamar (Brenda) Bailey, Nolan (Dawna) Bailey, and Neldon Bailey; 31 grandchildren; many great and great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Wanda Stimpson; and a brother, Norman Bailey.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 64 years, Irma, who passed away March 21, 2003; three sisters, Edith Handy, Ann Gerratt and Mary Wilcox; three brothers, Charles, Seth and Keith Bailey; a daughter-in-law, Sharon Bailey; two sons-in-law, Norman Ashby and Lynn Heiner; one grandson, Todd Lynn Heiner; and a great-grandson, Brock Alan Heiner.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 10, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Heyburn 2nd Ward, 530 Villa Dr., in Heyburn, with Bishop Nathan Catmull conducting. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Heyburn.

Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, July 9, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church, preceding the service.

The family expresses their heartfelt appreciation to Harrison Hope Hospice, Pomerelle Assisted Living, and to Rachel and Tina (his special care givers) for their kind and thoughtful care.