Bob Bailess, 81, passed away peacefully at his home on June 19, 2017, in the company of his loved ones. He was born in Grantsville, WV on August 24, 1935, to the late Ernest and Nellie Bailess.
Bob graduated from Calhoun County High School in 1954. He was an All-State football player and served as a captain in the North-South Football Classic held in Charleston, WV. Bob accepted a scholarship to play football for the West Virginia University Mountaineers and he later finished his college career and graduated from Salem College. He is also an alumnus of Virginia Tech where he earned a Master’s Degree in Physical Education.
Bob started his professional career in Virginia, where he dedicated over forty years of his life to teaching and coaching. He took great pride in motivating his students and players to achieve excellence. Bob retired from Prince William County Public Schools in 1996.
In 2000, Bob relocated to Bristol, VA. He served as a volunteer ranger at the Clear Creek Golf Club and was an active member of the State Street United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Bristol YMCA and the Virginia High School League.
Bob was an avid trout fisherman, golfer and hunter. He committed himself to physical fitness throughout his life and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren who he adored.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Julia Bailess; his children: Robert Bailess (Jennifer), Lisa Dean (David), and Todd Bailess (Joy); his grandchildren: Zachery, Matthew, Owen, Lillian, Jaxson, James, and Luke; his sisters: Mary Knotts (Jim), Janet Orozco (Bob), Nancy Taylor, Linda Blankenship (Neil), and his nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Geraldine Diehl.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at State Street United Methodist Church in Bristol, VA on Sunday, June 25, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. A service and burial will also be held at Pleasant Hill Methodist Church in Grantsville, WV on June 27, 2017, at 12:00 p.m. Family will receive friends at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church from 11:00 a.m. until time of service, 12:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the charity of your choice.
Local service arrangements are being conducted by Stump Funeral Home and Cremation, Inc., Grantsville, WV.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.stumpfuneralhomes.com

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