James Othel Bailey, 94, of Shelbyville, Illinois died Wednesday, December 19, 2012 in Shelbyville Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Memorial graveside services held in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL with Chaplain Tim Haworth officiating and military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard.

Mr. Bailey was born on April 21, 1918 in Claremont, IL, the son of Roy and Blanche Richey Bailey. He graduated from Olney High School and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Jim later returned to school and earned his Master's Degree from Eastern Illinois State Teacher's College in Charleston, IL. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of WWII and rode aboard the troopship Queen Mary to England.

He began his career in education as a teacher in a one room school in Claremont, IL. He then became a Superintendent and helped to form the Kansas School District. Jim later served as Principal at Kempton High School. He moved his family to Shelbyville in 1962 and became the Principal of Main Street and Vine Street Schools. He later served as Principal of Moulton Middle School in Shelbyville until his retirement. Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville and Olney American Legion Post #30. He married Elizabeth H. Hasslinger on April 9, 1948. She died on May 8, 2007.

He is survived by his daughter, Marilyn Thompson and husband Alan of Tower Hill, IL; two granddaughters, Elizabeth Walter of Charleston, IL and Katherine Pauley and husband Keith of Tower Hill, IL; and special friend, June Crockett of Shelbyville, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elizabeth; and sister, Mary Lathrop.

Daily Union (Shelbyville, IL) – Thursday, December 20, 2012