Walter Bailie

In loving memory of Walter Eugene Bailie, 82, of St George, Utah, passed away on December 30, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.  Walter was born to Theodore & Mary Ellen Bailie in Hutchison, Kansas on February 21, 1937, the oldest of 7 children.

He is survived by his loving spouse of 63 years, Phyllis Bailie; his two daughters Deborah Seegmiller and Cheryl & Lynn Galbraith; four grandchildren Amber & Jason Packenham, Jeremy Galbraith, Ryan Seegmiller, Trevor & Kara Seegmiller; nine great-grandchildren Kilee Galbraith, Hailey Linn, Anthony & Carley Wilson, Kayla Packenham & Trace, Zoey Seegmiller, Zachary Seegmiller, Kayleb Galbraith, Zola Seegmiller and Keylee Gill; three great great-grandchildren Ryker, Karter, and Jaxson; his three siblings Althea (Tootsie) Marano, Wesley Bailie, and Theodore & Diane Bailie; and his beautiful dog, Molly.  Karter his great great-grandson shared a birthday with Walter and Walter told him “All great men were born on this date”.

He was preceded in death by his parents Theodore & Mary Ellen Bailie and his sisters Evelyn Bailie, Hazel Waymack, and Mary Jo Birch.

Walter moved to Los Angeles, California in 1950 where he met his true love of his life, Phyllis Butcher.  He joined the Navy in 1954 where he served for four years.  Walter married Phyllis on July 7, 1956 where they spent 19 years in Southern CA raising their family.  He attended Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church and was baptized in 1970.  He was a spiritual and devoted Christian. Walter and his family moved to Kaysville, Utah in 1975 where he continued to raise his family.  He attended Layton Hills Baptist Church for many years where he volunteered often.  Walter and Phyllis started their own Tool and Cutter Grinding business in Centerville, Utah where his daughter Cheryl worked side by side with him for 18 years. Walter designed tools for businesses such as aerospace, the Jarvik Heart, the Space Shuttle and many more.  Walter was a Tool and Cutter Grinder for 45 years before he retired in 2002 and was well admired by his colleagues.  Walter and Phyllis moved to St. George, Utah in 2015

Walter loved golfing, bowling, fishing, waterskiing, hunting and the mountains, and spending time with his loved ones and friends.  He was a family man and always provided for his family.  He loved to play games, especially bridge where he was very competitive. He was a very giving, loving, and caring person and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.  He taught his daughters many things, such as how to ice skate, fish, and waterski.  But the most important thing he taught us was to love.

He loved to play golf and was able to get to play on the golf course he truly dreamed of, Pebble Beach Golf Course, thanks to his brother Ted and sister-in-law Diane.  He also taught his grandchildren, Amber & Jeremy Galbraith, how to bowl.  Walter and Phyllis enjoyed square dancing in their early years.  While in the Navy, he always spoke about going half-way around the world over the Equator, which he was very proud of this accomplishment.  Walter had the most genuine and contagious smile and all who knew him truly loved it.

A Celebration of Life will be held early June 2020, at Farmington City Cemetery in Farmington Utah.  More details will be forthcoming at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the Gary Sinise Foundation.  Its outreach supports those who sacrifice to defend our country:  active duty, veterans, first responders, and their loved ones.  The Gary Sinise Foundation works to ensure the sacrifices of America’s defenders and their families are never forgotten.  https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate/

The family is especially grateful to Dixie Hospice and Walter’s nurses: Victoria, Alison, Mark and Mary Ellen the social worker who took such good care of him these past few months.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."   Joshua 1:9