Wilbur (Bill) Newton Bailey, 82 of Havre died the evening of Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, at the Northern Montana Care Center in Havre.
Funeral Services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Jude Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert D. Grosch presiding. Interment of ashes will take place at a later date at Highland Cemetery. Cremation has taken place. Bill was born to Wilbur M. and Lena G. (Newton) Bailey in Havre on Aug. 15, 1925. He was educated locally, graduating from Havre High School and later enlisting in the U.S. Army. He served his country in the European theater where he received a purple heart after having been wounded in France. He also received a WWII Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged in August of 1945 returning to Havre. Bill later met Berenice Margaret Wirth in Harlowton and they were married on March 13, 1948 in Havre. Berenice and Wilbur made their home in Havre where Bill worked for the Great Northern Rail Road. He was also an insurance agent for a period of time and also owned and operated a mobile home sales business. After retiring, Bill and Bernice spent time doing some of their favorite hobbies including gardening and Rving, spending almost 10 years in Arizona. They were active in St. Jude Catholic Church. Bill was also active in the Elks Club where he was an Exalted Ruler in the early 70’s. Preceding him in death were his parents and his brother, Marion Bailey. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Berenice Bailey of Havre; his sons, Bob (Jan) Bailey of Great Falls, Greg (Shelly) Bailey of Havre; daughter, Cathy Lammerding of Clarkston, Wash; sisters Gert Kellum of Havre and Florence Edwards of White Sulpher Springs; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made in Bill’s name to a charity of the donor’s choice. Holland and Bonine Funeral Home of Havre has been entrusted with arrangements.
