CLAUD WILLIAM BAILEY December 28, 1931 – April 29, 2021 | Obituary
Claud William Bailey passed away peacefully with his family surrounding him on April 29, 2021, at the age of 89. Claud is survived by her three children, Bill (Somanith) Bailey of Dublin, California; Byron Bailey of Morgan Hill, California; and Jennifer (Fritz) Rupp from Victor, NY. Grandchildren Amber (Anthony) Synegal; Ashley (Kyle) Miller; Zane (Jessica) Bailey; Andrew (Ashley) Rupp; Mitchell Rupp; Allison Rupp; Trinity Bailey; Cienna Bailey; and Justice Bailey. Great-grandchildren Camdyn Synegal; Braxton Synegal; Kallen Bailey; Karysn Bailey; Sawyer Synegal; and Beau Rupp; and two great-grandchildren, Jack and Waylon. He is predeceased by his wife Alice Marie Bailey (Nilsen) (1971); parents Claud Franklin Bailey (1988) and Lydia Margret Bailey (1998); daughter Tamara Lynn Bailey (2014) and sister Jessie Marie Bailey (2020).
Claud was born on December 28, 1931 in Seattle, Washington, to Claud and Lydia Bailey. He graduated from Ballard High School in 1950 and joined the military in October where he eventually became a sergeant and fought in the Korean War. After his release in October 1953, he married his high school sweetheart Alice Nilsen on November 14, 1953. While living in Seattle, he entered the commercial halibut fishing industry with his stepfather. , Emil Nilsen. Alice and Claud welcomed their child, Claud William Bailey Jr. (Bill) in 1954. After moving to Castro Valley, California in 1955, Claud began working for American Can Company as an apprentice machinist and at the end of his apprenticeship was immediately promoted to a managerial position. Over the next three years, the couple bought their first home and welcomed two more children, Tamara Lynn Bailey in 1957 and Byron Leander Bailey in 1958. In 1962, Claud was promoted to Assistant Plant Manager in Los Angeles and took over. moved his family to Orange County. It was there that they welcomed their fourth child, Jennifer Ann Bailey (Rupp) in 1966. Claud was transferred again in 1968 to northern California to the Sun Garden packaging plant so that the Bailey family moved again and settled in San Jose, California.
After the death of his wife Alice in 1971, Claud received another promotion in 1976 with American Can Company as factory manager in Fairport, New York. Claud and his two youngest children moved to Pittsford, New York, then eventually settled in Victor, New York, where he retired from the American Can Company in January 1988. Claud retired to his state of Washington origin and moved to Camano Island in April 1989. He spent 30 years in his home overlooking Puget Sound with his mother, sister, daughter Tami and granddaughter, Ashley; before moving to Brookdale Assisted Living in Stanwood in November 2017.
Claud’s hobbies included watching sports, taking scenic drives, making the tastiest Swedish pancakes, and helping others. Claud loved challenges and loved puzzles, board games and crosswords. His appreciation for music spanned all genres, but his real favorite was the big band. He played the harmonica, the accordion, and in his later years took to playing the organ. He was extremely witty and loved to hear and tell jokes and riddles. His family was his pride and joy, and he enjoyed the time he spent with them. He was an active and dedicated member of the Lutheran Church of Camano before his decline in health and mobility made attendance difficult. Claud was a true gentleman and had a great presence. He will be remembered for his loving heart and genuine kindness. He will be sorely missed.
A private internment service will take place on June 24, 2021 at Anderson Cemetery in Stanwood. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Brookdale and Family Resource Home Care and the dialysis technicians at Smokey Point Puget Sound Kidney Center for their dedication to their care.