Linwood Arthur Bailey Jr., 80, of Alna, died peacefully with his family by his side on May 29 after several months of failing health.
Born Jan. 21, 1932 in Newburyport, Mass., he was the fourth child and second son of Linwood A. and Rosetta Kennerson Bailey. Linwood spent his early childhood in Hampton Falls, N.H., and at age nine moved back to the family homestead in Alna. He attended the Whitefield Plains School and went to high school at Bridge Academy in Dresden.
In 1951, at age 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving for 21 years as a flight mechanic and a C-130 flight engineer. During his Air Force career he was based in Oklahoma, Okinawa, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Vietnam, and Hawaii. In the early 1960s he was assigned to a weather research squadron whose mission was to monitor weather conditions for the early missile and space launches from Cape Kennedy in Florida.
While based in Arizona and Vietnam, he was in a highly classified unit of U-2s and C-130s, which launched reconnaissance drone spy aircraft over North Korea. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters for missions during the Vietnam War. He retired from the Air Force in 1972 as a Master Sergeant.
Returning to Maine, Linwood launched his own business, Mid-Coast Appliance Service Center. The business expanded to include sales and held a service franchise with Whirlpool for 15 years. He had many loyal customers throughout the region, especially in the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor-Southport area. He also attended Beal College in Brunswick for two years, where he studied business administration.
In June 1989, Linwood developed a rare autoimmune kidney disease, and was seriously ill and on dialysis for over a year, until a successful kidney transplant was accomplished with a donation from his brother, Winthrop. He was able to resume a normal, healthy, and productive life for many years due to this generous gift.
Linwood was active in his community of Alna. He served for 15 years as an elected member of the school committee, and chaired the Union School Board during a difficult period of reorganization of contracts and selection of a new superintendent. At the time he developed kidney failure he was First Selectman of Alna. In 1994 he was elected Third Selectman of Alna, a position he held for four years.
During his retirement, Lin’s greatest pleasure was traveling and camping in his motorhome. For several years, he and his wife enjoyed exploring the western and southeastern states. He also enjoyed woodworking, furniture refinishing, and gardening.
He was a member of the American Legion, Bradford-Sortwell-Wright Post #54, Wiscasset for 39 years.
He was predeceased by a son, Vance Arthur Bailey, in 2008; brothers, Benjamin Bailey and Winthrop (“Wimpy”) Bailey; and sister, Marjorie Bailey Colpitt.
Linwood is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Lou Perrin Bailey of Alna; children, Ellen Bailey Pippenger and husband Daniel of Portland, Ore., Linwood (Woody) Arthur Bailey III and wife Karen Brissette Bailey of Sabattus, and Brenda Bailey Prior of Bremen; grandchildren, Joshua Bailey and wife Desiree of Wiscasset, Vance Bailey Jr. and wife Monica of Thomaston, Stephen Prior and wife Jennifer of Bremen, John Prior of Bremen, Kate, Rachel, and Julia Pippenger of Portland, Ore., and Lindsey Bailey of Sabattus; step-grandchildren, Daniel, Samuel, and Grace Woodard of Sabattus; brother, Charles Bailey and wife Gloria of Edgecomb; sisters, Virginia Bailey Wright of Whitefield, Rosetta Bailey Burns of Alna, Ernestine Bailey Lincoln of Whitefield, and Marguerite Bailey Fairfield and husband Schuyler of Wiscasset; sister-in-law, Carolyn Bailey of Wiscasset; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services, conducted by Pastor Richard Newell, were June 2 at the Alna-Newcastle Baptist Church, where Mr. Bailey and his wife were married in February, 1963. Pallbearers were his son, Woody Bailey, grandson Josh Bailey, nephew John Bailey, and great-nephews Jay Bailey, James Bailey, and Spencer Bailey. A burial service with full military honors was conducted at the Alna Cemetery by the Maine Air National Guard Unit from Bangor, with an additional honor guard provided by the Wiscasset American Legion. A reception followed at the Alna Firehouse.
Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
