Bill J. Dailey
Bill J. Dailey, 86, of Jonesboro, died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, at his home.
He was born on April 12, 1935, in Elco, the son of Floyd and Mildred Seals Dailey.
He married the love of his life and soul mate, Cathy Hancock, in Mississippi on Sept. 21, 1957. She preceded him in death on Aug. 24, 2018.
Mr. Dailey is survived by his son, Don Dailey; a daughter, Tammy McKinney; grandchildren Miranda (Matthew) Morgan, Jennifer (Madi) Land, Mandy (Maycee) Dailey, Natalie (Mike) Brown, Bub (Kellie) Dailey, Zeke Baggott and Kiel McKinney; great-grandchildren Abbi, Xailex, Keivin, Kiley, Kaitlyn, Daultan, Michaela, Arika, Brayden, Colton, Landon, Ella, Greyson and Dixie Mae; a sister, Rosemary Miller of Springfield; brothers Jerry E. Hunter of Jonesboro, Jack Stokes of Anna and Rodney Stokes of Cape Girardeau; many other family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by parents; his wife, Cathy Dailey; sons Curt and Rick Dailey; son-in-law Carlos McKinney; stepsister Floy Stokes Sullivan; stepbrother Gaylon Stokes; and many friends.
Mr. Dailey retired from the Anna-Jonesboro Water Commission after 35 years. He served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1956.
He was the kindest man, always smiling and generous to anyone he met. He loved to joke and laugh. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren more than life.
He left behind a letter for them in his words as follows:
When I come to the end of my road
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free.
Miss me a little, but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we shared
Miss me, but let me go
For this journey that we all must take
and each must go it alone,
it’s all part of the master’s plan
A step on the road to home.
When we are lonely and sick at heart,
go to the friends we know,
and bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
“Hey you all”
Miss me, but let me go!
Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with Pastor Randy Wright officiating.
Interment was in the Jonesboro Cemetery. Graveside military rites were conducted by Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna and the Navy funeral honor detail.
Memorials can be made to Disabled American Veterans.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.