George Tillman Bailey Jr.

JAN. 25, 1925-NOV. 19, 2007
George Tillman Bailey Jr., 82, of Wilson, passed away November 19, 2007 at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Tillman and Susan Bailey in Rocky Mount.
George and his wife, Ann Linville Bailey, were staying in Rocky Mount after a three week stay at Nash General Hospital. George and Ann were surrounded by loved onebs and shared wonderful family stories until he died.
George was born January 25, 1925 in Greenville, SC to the late George Tillman Bailey, Sr. and Anne Louise Wallace Bailey.
He moved to Wilson with his parents at the age of four where his father established Independent Ice & Fuel Co. His late grandmother, Louise Banks Wallace of Greenville, SC was very important in George's life. She took him for long summer vacations at Pawley's Island with his first cousins, Roy and Billy McBee, who were like his brothers. George graduated from Charles L. Coon High School in 1941. He attended Clemson College until his eighteenth birthday when he was able to join the army and serve in WWII. After serving around the world in the Army Air Corps, he returned to North Carolina and attended North Carolina State College and Atlantic Christian College. He joined his father at the "Ice Plant" where he remained until his retirement in 1989.
George was very active in the Wilson community. He served for many years in the East Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America as the scout master at First United Methodist Church and received the Silver Beaver Award. He was a member of the Board of Stewards at First Methodist and was the property manager for years. George was active in the Methodist Men, Jaycees, Sertoma Club, Elks Club, and Ducks Unlimited. Cooking everything from fish to pancakes made him a popular club member at many events and made friends mistakenly wonder if his wife, Ann, had to cook at all. Growing up in Wilson, George had many lifelong friends who enjoyed spirited conversations and a good joke at the morning "Breakfast Club".
George Bailey had many talents. His love of making period furniture kept family members standing in line for his creations. Making furniture soon developed into a new love-bird carving. His song birds, ducks, and shore birds were perched around the homes of his family and friends.
Family was at the center of his life. George and Ann spent many memorable times with their family and friends around delicious Southern meals. A beach front cottage at Topsail Beach called the family together. Clamming, fishing, swimming, and boating gave the grandchildren an immediate bond with their "Daddy George". Topsail Beach became a more permanent home away from home after George's retirement. Another breakfast club, the Cape Fear Woodcarvers Club, and afternoon trips to the Sound Pier kept him busy. Services and family night suppers at Topsail's Emma Anderson Memorial Chapel, also became very special to Ann and George.
George was predeceased by his parents; first cousins, Roy McBee and wife, Caroline of Columbia, SC and Billy McBee of Union, SC; a sister-in-law, Jane Linville Joyner of Durham.
George Bailey is survived by his wife and partner of 55 years, Ann Linville Bailey of Wilson; his daughter, Laura Ann Bailey Leamon and her husband, Mike of Charlotte; his son, Dr. George Tillman Bailey III and his wife, Susan of Rocky Mount; four grandchildren, Steven Michael Leamon Jr. and his wife, Min of Charleston, SC, George Walter Leamon of New York, NY, Elizabeth Wooding Bailey of Winston-Salem, and Sallie Tillman Bailey of Rocky Mount; his brothers-in-law, Dr. Walter S. Linville and his wife, Deas of Wilson and Dr. William S. Joyner of Durham; his cousin's wife, Carolyn McBee of Union, SC; and cousins, Samuel Bailey Tillman and his wife, Kathleen of New Orleans, La., William L. Brigham and wife, Nancy, Louise Brigham Erhard, Hugh O. Brigham of Greenville, SC; his granddog, Bailey of Charlotte; six nieces; two nephews; and 15 great- nieces and nephews.
The family is grateful to Hospice of Nash General, the physicians, nurses, and aides who cared for our father.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church, corner of Green and Tarboro Streets, Wilson with the Rev. Doug Jessie, Rev. Jody Wright, and Rev. Morgan Daughety officiating. Visitation will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Boy Scout Troop Six of the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894 or Emma Anderson Memorial Church, P.O. Box 3071, Topsail Beach, NC 28445.
George Bailey- It was a wonderful life.
Arrangements are by Joyner's Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway.
Condolences may be directed to www.Joyners.net