n November 8, 2023, Ken Bailey lost his battle with cancer at home with his sister, Melinda Brown, at his side. Born to Billy Mac Bailey and Wilma Jean Wray Bailey Leone. "Bailey," as most people knew him, grew up loving the same things his dad did: working on cars, racing cars, driving trucks, and chasing women.
Graduating from the school of hard knocks, Bailey went on to have a successful career driving trucks. Bailey got his first set of wheels at the young age of 3. He drove that car a million miles and wore the rubber off the wheels! That spawned a love of all things driveable. He was a long-time beer distributor for PBR and Schlitz and then to over the road for Sadler trucking and others. There wasn't anything Bailey couldn't fix, drive, or charm.
Bailey was married once to Debbie Dyche, Bailey never had any natural children that we know of, but that certainly didn't stop him. In Bailey's early days of living in KC, he met Nit, who grew into a lifelong friend. When Nit had Paula, she stole Bailey's heart. He unofficially adopted her, and she was forever his girl. Bailey's best friend, Jimmy Baumli, had JJ and he went everywhere with the two best friends. When Jimmy died, JJ was like a son to Bailey. JJ and his wife Jena were instrumental in helping Bailey during his last days.
Bailey's best trait was that he truly cared for the people in his life. He was born with his mother's heart and his family grew daily. If you knew Bailey, and he knew you needed him, he would be there for you with a helping hand, a solution, or an ornery smile and ice-cold beer. Many of these people were there for him when he needed them, and the family is forever grateful. Thank you all.
He was proceeded in death by his father Bill Bailey; mother, Wilma Leone; brother Jerry Bailey and sister Teresa Brown.
He leaves behind his daughter, Paula (Anthony) Story; JJ (Jena) Baumli; sisters, Martha Bailey; Melinda Brown; and Caren (JR) Hankins; his brothers, Gerry (Donna) Bailey; Terry (Sue) Carr; Larry (Janine) Leone; Joe (Janet) Leone; half-sisters, Deborah Bailey and Linda Molina; and too many nieces and nephews, and people he gathered along the way, to name.
The family will be holding a Celebration of Life on Sunday, November 19, 2023, from 1-4 PM at Eagle's, 29997 US Hwy 71 in Maryville, Missouri. Bailey has taken Hillbilly Tech Racing to the big dirt track in the sky; running hot laps and taking checkered flags again. He will be truly missed.
