A homegoing celebration for Mr. Willie James Bailey, Sr. of Tampa, Florida who passed away on Saturday, August 25, 2018 will be held on Saturday, September 8th, 11:00 a.m. at Aikens Funeral Home Chapel, 2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Rev. James Anderson, officiating. The interment will follow. Willie was born on December 29, 1949 in Miami, FL, to the late Rev. Arthur Lee and Annie Mae Bailey. He was educated in the public schools of Hillsborough County, FL; graduating from Middleton High School in 1968. Willie enlisted into the U.S. Navy and served his country for 4 years with an Honorable Discharge. He attended Hillsborough County Community College in pursuit of an Associate of Arts degree. Willie started his career with Waste Resource/Management in 1977. In 1985 he changed career paths and joined Coca Cola. After joining the City of Tampa in 1997, Willie retired in 2012 after working 15 years. Willie was a faithful member of Peace Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. Willie's life passion was his one of kind arts and crafts that was loved by many. He enjoyed and loved every moment spent with his grandson, Willie III. He loved cooking, fishing, bike riding, landscaping and visiting various flea markets with his wife to find hidden treasures. And let us not forget, Willie was a lifelong Bucs fanatic!!Willie James Bailey, Sr. is preceded in death by his parents the late Reverend Arthur Lee and Annie Mae Bailey; mother-in-law, Gussie Wynn; son, Michael Johnson; brothers, Johnnie Lee Bailey, Sr. and Robert Lee Bailey, Sr.; sisters, Annie Mae Bailey Campbell and Annie Mae Thornton; brothers-in-law, Melvin and Donald Wynn, and Bud Simmons; and sister-in-law, Evonne Wynn. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Sandra L. Bailey; sons, Willie (Shenita) Bailey, Jr and Faran (NeKisha) Bailey; daughters, Sandra Lynn Jones and Donna (Reggie) Faison; grandchildren, Wileacia, Wannisha, Willie III, Demetrius (Teresa), Dominique, Dontae, Jamisha, Javionna, Jayla, Gre'Keyana, Fernardo, Jaliyah, Almari, Donisha and Terrick; brothers, Arthur Bailey, David Bailey and Joe Campbell; sisters, Evelyn, Dorothy (Skip), Patricia (Mitchell); brothers-in-laws, Daryl, Earrol and Bud Wynn and Calvin Davis; sisters-in-law, Angela Wynn, Anita and Grace Davis, Nita Giles; a host of sorrowing nieces, nephews and cousins and special friend, Alice Strong; the Bailey, Campbell, Davis, Thornton, Wynn, Brim, Williams and Reynolds families; along with a multitude of mourning extended family members and friends. The visitation will be held at Aikens Funeral Home on Friday, September 7th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family and friends are asked to meet at the chapel on Saturday for the service.


Visitation
The Chapel of Hope Aikens Funeral Home Chapel
Friday, September 7, 2018
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
2708 E Dr. MLK Jr.
Tampa, Florida 33610

Funeral Service
Aikens Funeral Home
Saturday, September 8, 2018
11:00 AM
2708 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Tampa, FL 33610