HOWARD LAWSON BAILEY obituary

Howard Lawson Bailey, 72, a retired general contractor, died Friday, July 24, 2009, at his home of natural causes.

His funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with Pastor John Chapman officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held Eagels Club after the graveside services. Memorials in Howard's honor may be made to the Care and Comfort Home or to a memorial of one's choice. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Howard was born April 14, 1937, in Lynchburg, Va., to Lester and Annie L. (Mason) Bailey. He was raised and educated in Lynchburg. He entered into the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1958 as an airman second class. While in the Air Force, Howard was stationed at the North Havre Air Base. It was in Havre where he met Martha Head, and the couple married April 16, 1957, in Havre. The couple lived in Havre and had three children. The family moved to Valparaiso, Ind., where Howard worked as an operating engineer. In 1973 the family returned to Havre, and Howard and his father in-law started Head and Bailey Construction Company. Howard worked as a self-employed contractor for 33 years. Howard's greatest passion in his life was his family. He was a great provider for them. He enjoyed his three children and helped them whenever he could. He built houses for them or just helped fix up their homes. He worked alongside his sons Steve and Michael, for many years in the construction business. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, camping, building model planes, playing poker, his friends and most of all his family. He was a member of the Vets Lodge and the Moose Lodge and was a member of the operating engineers union. His wife, Martha, died in April 21, 2001. Howard married Carol on May 17, 2004. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Anne Bailey; his wife, Martha in 2001; and his sister, Ann Maide. Howard is survived by his wife, Carol Bailey of Havre, Mont., his daughter, Betty Bailey Ranes of Havre, Mont., and his sons, Michael Lawson Bailey of Havre, Mont., and Steven Lester Bailey of Havre, Mont.; his mother-in-law, Betty Head; and eight grandchildren, Melissa Bailey, Chad Ranes, Tiffany Ranes, Kelsie Bailey, Steven Bailey, Heidie Culbertson, Lorren Mack and Samantha Mack.