William H. Bailey, Jr

William H. Bailey, Jr., age 95, former Bloomsburg University store manager, died June 30, 2025, in Crystal River, Florida. Son of William H. Bailey, Sr. and Pearl Miriam Vought/Hess, he was born January 8, 1930, in Beaufort, North Carolina.

Bill was a proud US Navy veteran, Korean War (1950-54). He served at Naval Operating Base (NOB) Guam, Mariana Islands, and on the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea CV-47, with missions in the Sea of Japan.

He researched and documented his family histories, including military services dating to the Civil War and the Mexican Revolution. His work resulted in the discovery of his great-uncle Walter L. Smith from Muncy, Pennsylvania, who served in the US Army from 1898-1901, was taken prisoner in the Philippines, never came home, and is still missing today. Act 159 of 2016 in the Pennsylvania General Assembly authorized the designation of the Pvt. Walter L. Smith Spanish-American War Memorial Bridge, erected over Muncy Creek. Legislative bills were sponsored by the late State Representative Garth Everett and by Senator Gene Yaw.

Bill is the co-author of “Murder in Muncy Creek,” a true-crime account.

He was predeceased by his son, Stuart S. Bailey. He is survived by his wife, Doris (Peggy) O’Dell Bailey of 68 years; his sister, Elizabeth McInnis; several nieces and nephews; and a large extended family. He is descended from the Bailey (over 10 generations), Huff, Beck, Smith, Colley, Zehner and Vought families in Lycoming, Sullivan, Columbia, and Montour counties.

A future memorial tribute will be planned by the family.

In remembrance of Bill: Honor a veteran for their service and their sacrifice for our freedom.