William Sykes “Bill” Bailey, 70, of Ogden Dunes, IN passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 7th, 2023. He was born in Gary and grew up in Ogden Dunes where he lived and raised his family. Bill graduated from Portage High School, attended college at DePauw and graduated from the University of Evansville and obtained his Masters Degree at the University of Kentucky. While at the University of Evansville, Bill met the love of his life - Debby (Owens) Bailey. Together they enjoyed 44 wonderful years of marriage.
Bill is survived by his wife Debby and sons Robert O. (Jacqueline Beaulieu) and Ross D. (Jessica Anderson); beloved grandchildren Parker, Beau, Henry, and Finn; brother John R. (Janis); sister-in-law Kristin (Weis) Bailey, niece Lauren (Brock Shipley), nephew Jordan (Emily Richardson-Rossbach), niece Leslie (Adam Marlatt); sister-in-law Sandie (Chris) Cieslak and cousin Geoffrey G. Slaughter (Julie Randolph). As well countless friends both locally and internationally. He is preceded in death by his grandmother Edith Sykes Dorman, mother Sarah (Dorman) Bailey, his father Robert B. Bailey and his younger brother James T. Bailey.
A very active member of the Ogden Dunes Community Church, Bill, served as both an Elder and Trustee. To make his church more accessible to his community, Bill diligently ran the sound system and livestream broadcasting. His booming bass voice will be greatly missed in the Ogden Dunes Choir. Always finding ways to live his faith, Bill served as the Indiana Dunes Great Banquet Community Lay Leader from 1998-2004.
Bill loved his community of Ogden Dunes, as a lifelong resident. He served four years on the Ogden Dunes Town Council, (President in 1995) and also served as Vice-President of the Ogden Dunes Home Association. For years he joyfully volunteered his time coaching the town youth soccer team. Bill and Debby also enjoyed organizing the town’s Labor Day games.
Masonic roots have run deep in the family for generations. As a result of his deeply held belief that one should selflessly serve, Bill started his Masonic journey in his youth as a member of the Steel City Chapter of DeMolay and was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in 1984. Bill furthered his degree work by petitioning both the York and Scottish Rite, where he was later conferred the honorary 33rd degree. He then joined Orak Temple in Michigan City, where he served as Potentate in 2009. Bill was a life member of Porter Lodge #137 in Valparaiso, Indiana. Bill’s greatest honor and privilege was to follow in his father’s footsteps and serve as the Imperial Potentate of Shriners International in 2021 and to help further the work of Shriners Children's as they care for children from over 167 countries worldwide.
Visitation for Bill will be held Friday, May 12th, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church of Portage, 2637 McCool Road, Portage from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m and 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm with a Masonic and Church service at 5:00 pm. All times in central standard time. Fellowship will be provided at the conclusion of the services. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave. Portage. For more information, please call (219) 762-3013. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shriners Children's, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607, or the Indiana Dunes Great Banquet P.O. Box 1696 Valparaiso, IN 46384.
