The heaviest of hearts, the empty space, the memories… nothing prepares you for the last goodbye. Nothing to communicate the loss, the legacy, the fullness of time and experience of a life lived. The most valuable asset is a human life, and the greatest loss is when that life ends.
As we focus on the stories, the love, and the impact that Bill had on those he helped and those he loved and called family, some of what stands out the most is his love for family, his loyalty, his expert skill and talent at his craft, his passion for the outdoors, his commitment to God and to his community.
William George Bailey was born in 1949 in OK.
His step-father, Syl Thomas was the owner of Thomas House Movers in Palisade, CO. Bill began working with Thomas House Movers when he was 14 years old. After high school, he attended college at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.
Bill earned his degree in structural engineering and also served in the Colorado National Guard.
He returned to continue house moving with Thomas House Movers until eventually helping Syl to retire while assuming the primary responsibilities of the business.
Bill Bailey had a passion for the engineering, the equipment, and the ingenuity of his craft. He would travel to mover’s conventions to check out the latest tools and talk with industry peers, wake up early on the weekends to design and weld his own specialized equipment or do maintenance, and he was consistently bidding new jobs and consulting all over western Colorado.
Bill also loved to gather with family, leaving a legacy of memories and experiences with his children and grandchildren. He was very happy fishing and hunting, taking family trips, or going on the boat. He loved his time in Alaska and always hoped to go back.
The breadth of a life cannot be summed up in a few paragraphs, and Bill’s legacy is still being written. Our hearts are still heavy and our souls are still numb. Time waits for no one, so we continue on.
With love and hope for an eternal future, we say good bye for now, may we find each other again.