Wayne Benjamin Bailey, of Wibaux, Montana, entered Heaven on Monday, October 13, 2008, at the age of 93 at the Glendive Medical Center in Glendive, Montana.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., and 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Thursday, October 16, 2008, at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Wibaux. A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 P.M., Thursday, October 16, 2008, at the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Wibaux. A celebration of Wayne's life will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, October 17, 2008, at the Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church in Wibaux with Reverend Andy Lam officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Wibaux Cemetery. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Wibaux is entrusted with arrangements.
Wayne was born on December 17, 1914, on the family farm north of Wibaux, the son of John and Josephine (Berry) Bailey. He attended the McClain School through the fifth grade when the family moved to town. He graduated from Wibaux County High School with the class of 1934. Wayne had several odd jobs and worked as a soda jerk at the drug store in Wibaux.
Following high school, Wayne spent two years in the CCS in western Montana. He met his future wife Phyllis Storkel at the Methodist Youth Group. Wayne joined the Navy when the United States was drawn into World War II with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. His basic training was at Farragut, Idaho, and then he was sent to Seattle where he was assigned to the Naval Hospital.
Wayne and Phyllis were married on June 14, 1943, at the Storkel farm south of Wibaux. Following a brief honeymoon in Glendive, Montana, they boarded the train for Seattle, Washington. Wayne was shipped out from Camp Shoemaker, California, to the Pacific Theater. He was attached to the medical division of the United States Navy and visited ports in the Philippines and China. He received an honorable discharge in 1945. Wayne, Phyllis and their family resided in Baker, Montana, and Wibaux until the time of his death.
Wayne and Phyllis were founding members of the Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church. He served as Sunday School Superintendent from the time the church was founded until present. Wayne enjoyed woodworking, especially working on his lathe. He loved painting, and he enjoyed sitting in the garden and feeding the birds. Wayne loved his best friend Hunter. He loved his family and was a very humble man. He lived his life as an example for others. Wayne was very patriotic. He loved his country.
Wayne was preceded in death by his twin sisters, Mary (Dale) Earl and Louise (Johnny) Edmunds, and his sisters Virginia Bailey and Velma Bailey.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 65 years, Phyllis Bailey of Wibaux, Montana; his daughter Connie Chaffee and her husband Ron of Wibaux, Montana; his son, John Bailey and his wife Vickie of Baker, Montana; his daughter, Penny Scammon and her husband Les of Billings, Montana; his son, Paul Bailey and his wife Teri of Yakima, Washington; 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
