William Baily

William (Bill) Baily, Jr, age 87 of Eau Claire, passed peacefully into the next life on October 11, 2021 with his loving family by his side.

Bill was born in El Paso, TX to William James Baily and Sara (Gomez) in 1934.

Bill lived a full life and had many varied careers and interests. When he was 17 he joined the Navy and worked in communications during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he earned his GED and worked as a border patrolman for many years. Bill then worked as a campus police officer while earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas - El Paso. He went on to complete his master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee while working at Wisconsin Department of Rehabilitation. Bill finalized his education with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, while working as a Rehabilitation Counselor for UMOS, and was Vice President of Bi-Lingual Evaluation Program in Washington, DC. From the mid 80’s to late 90’s Bill worked proudly as Assistant to the President for EEO/AA at UW - Stevens Point, Southern Illinois University and Brown University.

Bill enjoyed working with horses, participating in Civil war reenactments and was active with the Shriners. He was very proud of being involved in the Shriner horse patrol where he performed in Jimmy Carter’s and Ronald Regan’s Presidential parades. Bill was also interested in restoring old cars and enjoying time with family and friends. In his later years he ran his own trailer repair business, worked as a Sheriff Deputy and served as an Interpreter and Translator for several surrounding County Circuit Courts, and Eau Claire County Sheriff and Police Department.

Bill is survived by his wife Pamela Wachs-Baily, his children Vanessa (Richard) Venn, Collin (Logun) Baily, Erika (Mike) Lauson, Clark (Barbara) Baily, Bonnie Baily, Edward (Linda) Baily, Diane (James) Ainsworth, Johnny Baily, James Baily, Willie (Kathy) Baily, Andrew Baily, his sister Susan (Charlie) Kohring; brother-n-law and sister-in-law: Dana (Beverly Wickstrom) Wachs, Rochelle (Richard) Wachs-Arnold; and several grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Sara (Gomez) Baily, William James Baily and daughter Katherine Baily.
A visitation will be held on Thursday November 11, 2021 from 1-2:30pm with funeral service beginning at 2:30pm at Cremation Society of Wisconsin in Altoona. A live video feed will be available on the Cremation Society of Wisconsin Facebook page for those who cannot attend. Masks are required for those attending in person.