William Thomas Bailey

Athens, LA: William Thomas "Bill" Bailey, 81, of Athens, LA passed away October 20, 2014 after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his parents Iva Lee and Howard Bailey, and siblings Esther Claire Bailey, Drew Bailey, and Dollye Faye Frazier. A lifelong resident of Claiborne Parish, he was a graduate of Athens High School and Louisiana Tech, where he made lifelong friends as a member of Coach Cecil Crowley's Tech basketball team, and a member of the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi. He also obtained a Master's degree in Mathematics and Administration at Mississippi State University. His career in education was primarily spent at Summerfield High School where he began as teacher and coach, then principal, guiding the community to excellence in academic, extracurricular, and athletic pursuits. He was particularly adept in the late 1960s, coordinating with Mrs. Mary Walker of Mt. Olive School in carrying out the desegregation of Summerfield School in a graceful and peaceful manner. He then served as Superintendent of schools of Claiborne Parish, and after his retirement returned again as principal at Summerfield, then assistant principal at Athens High School and was director of Louisiana Technical College Vocational School in Homer. He served as a director at Homer National Bank, board of member of Presbyterian Village of Homer, board member of the Coordinating and Development Council of North Louisiana, and member and elder at Athens Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Louisiana Cattleman's Association and Retired Principals and Superintendents Associations of Louisiana. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoying those throughout his lifetime with his friends and family. He is survived by his wife Glenda Van Hooser Bailey; five children, Patricia Nicol and husband David Nicol of Austin, Texas; Kathy Ann Bailey of Bossier City; William Thomas "Bucky" Bailey and wife Toni of Athens; Ken Bailey and wife Vicki of Homer; Jan Carter and husband John of Bossier City; grandchildren, Joy Nicol, Ann Nicol, Wes Nicol; Julia Mejia and husband Henry Mejia, Samantha Bailey, Morgan Mays and husband Jeffrey Mays; Colin Bailey; Emily Carter, David Carter; and great-grandchildren Madeleine Mejia, Ian Mejia, and Piper Mays. His legacy of productive, contributing, Christian children and families was what he held above all else. Pallbearers will be grandsons Colin Bailey, David Carter, and Wes Nicol; Paul Cook, Roderick Cook, Jap Gullatt, James E. Scriber. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Greer, Stewart Griffin, Billy Wiggins, A. D. Williams, the Retired Superintendents of North Louisiana and the men of the First Presbyterian Church in Athens. A special thanks to Dr. Mark Haynes and Dr. Scott Haynes, and the ICU nurses at Homer Hospital. Visitation will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 405 E. 5th Street, Homer on Wednesday, October 22 from 5-8 pm. Funeral services will be at Summerfield High School Gymnasium on Thursday, October 23 at 2 pm. For those considering memorials, the family suggests Athens Presbyterian Church, PO Box 24, Athens, LA 71003 or Summerfield High School, 4200 Hwy 9, Summerfield, LA 71079. Interment will follow at Atkins Cemetery near Athens.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel, (318)927-6110