Stuart H. “Sonny” Bailey, 91, of Woolwich, and a former winter resident of Tampa, Fla., passed away on July 5 after a 23-year battle with heart disease.
He was born in Wiscasset on April 19, 1925, the son of Stuart L. and Suzie Maude (Ogilvie) Bailey. He grew up in Wiscasset and attended school there. At the age of 16, he left school to go to work at Bath Iron Works as an insulator for a short time before going to work on the farm to help the family.
When the war broke out, he wanted to do his part so on Jan. 27, 1944, Stuart went to the recruiting office to join the U.S. Navy. The officer stamped U.S. Army and Stuart proudly signed and served his country under General George Patton. Stuart belonged to the 4th Armored Division, Troop D and the 25th Mechanized Calvary. As a scout behind the enemy line, his orders were to see and not to be seen.
He was trained at Camp Blanding, Fla. and then deployed to Camp Kilmer, N.J. before being sent to Glasgow, Scotland, U.K., on Aug. 14, 1944. After arriving in Glasgow, he proceeded to get on a train for South Hampton, England. Two weeks later he entered the war in France, with the battle of Nancy. He took great pride in telling of his experiences at family gatherings, like when he and his buddy, Harry Cameron, from Georgia were on their the way to the Battle of the Bulge. Around April 4, 1945, they drove thru a group of civilians up a hill wondering why are we here. At the top of the hill they got their answer, the gate said “OHRDRUF” concentration camp “the gates of hell.” They were probably the first folks into the “Ohrdruf Germany” concentration camp. This was the first concentration camp to be liberated, something he was very proud of. Stuart and Harry saw a lot of action together and made a friendship bond that was never broken.
He also saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, where he served with George Polis, from Indiana, whom he considered his angel. They made it out together. He earned several medals including Army of Occupation Medal, WWII Victory Medal, ETO Medal, Dist Unit Badge, Bronze Service Stars “Rhineland,” “Ardennes,” “Central Europe Campaign,” and a Good Conduct Medal.
On Dec. 3, 1945 Stuart was given a furlough before reenlisting. He returned to the States and this is when he proposed to his true love, Marjorie Fraser and the couple were married after his tour on June 20, 1947 in Bath at the Nazarene Church.
Stuart worked on the family farm as a young boy. He was employed at Bath Iron Works as an insulator, and worked in the wood shop, and a barber in both Maine and Florida but most of his life he was a carpenter by trade, and donated a lot of his skills. He assisted in building the Bath overpass, Bath Nazarene Church, many schools, motels and homes in the area.
Stuart held his faith in God in high regard. As a young boy, going to church on Sunday was priority, no matter what the weather. They walked over the Carlton Bridge every Sunday year round, and drove over the ice in Richmond. All to go to church and not pay the toll. Little did they realize the toll was forgone on Sunday.
Stuart was a lifetime member of the American Legion in Bath, lifetime member of the Nazarene Demomination, a former member of the Bath Nazarene Church, Tampa 1st Church of the Nazarene, and current member of the Wiscasset Church of the Nazarene, Minister of Music for the former Wiscasset Jail and the Twin Bridges Jail and a former member of Gideons International in Maine and Florida.
Sonny, as everyone called him, was a great man. He enjoyed singing and playing his guitar for anyone that would listen, he looked forward to the birds coming to his feeders, and took great pride working in his vegetable garden. He was also a sports fan, never missing the Red Sox play. But nothing made him happier than spending time with his family. His great-grandchildren were the love of his life. Seeing life again through their eyes, he cherished those moments. His traditions and memories will live on is us forever.
Stuart is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Marjorie; and sister, Verna Bailey.
He leaves behind daughters, Susan (Bailey) Russelo and husband Angelo of Sebring, Fla., and Sandra (Bailey) Wilson and husband William of Woolwich; son, Rev. William H, Bailey and wife Gloria of Bath; grandchildren, Joseph Grasser of Tennessee, Mathew Grasser of Florida, David Webster and Suzie of Bath, Heidi (Wilson) Carty and husband John “Doug” of Boothbay, Crystal (Wilson) Slone and husband Joseph of Jacksonville, Fla., and Michael and Elizabeth Bailey of Bath; great-grandchildren , Mathew Jr., Nathan, Jonathan and Daniel Grasser, Quintin and Kadin Webster, Kyler and Chase Carty, Teagan and Piper Slone, Brooke, and Madison and Ella (Bailey) Mathews.
Visiting hours will be held from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Wed., July 20 at the David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath. A funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Wally Staples officiating, with a committal service at Oak Grove Cemetery, Bath with military honors. There will be a time of remembrance held at the American Legion after the burial.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
