James Robert "Bobby" Bailey
Class of 1958

The Gates of Heaven were opened to receive Bob Bailey on Feb. 6, 2012.

Bob was raised in Portsmouth. He served as a fire fighter for the City of Williamsburg for 30 years, working his way from a volunteer to become fire chief, and retired in 1990. His greatest joys in life were serving the Lord and his family and being an inspiration to children/youth.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Robert Bailey Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Louise; his mother, Myrtle Bailey; sister, Nancy Wilder (Chip); two daughters, Robin Bailey (Stephen) and Kathy Bailey Griffin (Paul); five grandchildren: Robbie Dunn (Haylee), Ashley Dunn Cyphers (Tim), Andrew Fox, Bailey Griffin, and Jenna Griffin; and two great-grandchildren, Peyton Cyphers and Kiley Dunn.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. in Smith Memorial Baptist Church in Williamsburg. Interment will follow in Williamsburg Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Smith Memorial Baptist Church. Memorial donations may be made to the Williamsburg Fire Department, 440 N. Boundary St, Williamsburg VA 23185; or to the James City County Fire Department (Bruton), PO Box 321, Toano VA 23188. Online condolences may be registered at bucktroutfuneralhome.net or www.vagazette.com