Joseph Edward Bailey

1948 - 2022

Joseph Edward Bailey
August 31, 2022
Raleigh, North Carolina - Joseph Edward Bailey, Jr (Joe), aged 74, died at his home in Raleigh on 8/31/22 from multiple myeloma related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. He received excellent care from the UNC Myeloma Program and Rex Cancer Care as well as his family and Transitions LifeCare, Raleigh. Joe was born and grew up in Hutchinson, KS and Denver, CO. At age 17, he joined the Army in 1965 where he found his calling. He was in the Special Forces and completed his 30-year military career as a helicopter pilot. During his service, he received numerous awards and citations including the Combat Infantry Badge, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, 3 Bronze Stars, Air Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, and Army Commendation Award among many others. Joe retired from the Army in 1995 and then worked for the NC Department of Labor as the OSHA Education and Training Supervisor until he fully retired in 2010.He is predeceased by his parents, Ruth Walker Bailey and Joseph Edward Bailey, and his sisters, Joan Williams, and Renee Dean. He is survived by and will be missed by his wife of 38 years, Donna Mayer Bailey, and his daughter, Kaytlin Bailey (Archie Jones III) and his sisters-in-law (Denise, Deborah, and Dianne Mayer) and their families. Joe will be interred in Arlington Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of sending flowers, the family would appreciate donations in his memory be made to Transitions LifeCare Hospice, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or Saving Grace | Animals for Adoption (savinggracenc.org) or the charity of your choice.