William (Bill) Alexander Bailey, born on October 12, 1927, at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2024, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, shortly after celebrating his 97th birthday.

After graduating from high school in 1945, he served his country in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II, with an honorable discharge from the Navy Reserves in 1954.

In 1950, Bill graduated from Park University in Parkville, Missouri, with a B.A. in Economics.  While there he received the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award for excellence in his studies and graduated in the top 15% of his class. In 1951, he married his college sweetheart, Versa Louisa Warr, beginning a 73-year journey together. For 50 years they resided in Merriam in the Kansas City area.  In 2017 they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where they have since lived at Trinity Woods.

Bill's professional career spanned 31 years with Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company in Kansas City. He started as an Economic Analyst, worked in Regulatory Affairs, and held positions including Manager of Accounts Payable and Supervisor of Administrative Services in the Transmission Department, retiring in 1987. After that, he continued with part-time work, assisting friends with tax preparation, personal finances, and trust administration.

For 62 years, Bill was a dedicated member of Maple Hill Presbyterian Church, where he served faithfully as Treasurer for 25 years and as an Elder and Deacon. His service to God and to the congregation brought him joy and fulfillment, and he cherished the friendships formed there.

Bill considered himself an ordinary man, enjoying the simple joys of life: his family, his church, his neighbors, and his friends. He found joy in learning, relished friendly conversations, and took pride in working in his yard and on small projects in his garage.

Bill was the cherished son of William F. Bailey and Marion (Ferry) O. Bailey.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert L. Bailey. He is survived by his beloved wife, Versa; his sons, Mark G. Bailey (spouse Nancy) of Clinton, Mississippi, and Kirk O. Bailey (spouse Gloria) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; his four grandchildren—Matthew, Jared, Erin (Watson), and Mark Bailey; and six great-grandchildren.

At his core, Bill was a man of integrity, taking his responsibilities seriously and striving to be a good steward in all he did. His warmth, sincerity, and love of life were felt by all who knew him, and his memory will be cherished by his family and friends. He will be missed deeply, yet his legacy of kindness, responsibility, and faithfulness will live on in all those he touched.