William Allen Bailey, 72, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, died Sunday, April 3, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin.

He was born May 5, 1943, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, the son of Irving and Marie (Harper) Bailey. Following his graduation from South Bend (Indiana) High School, Bill served his country in the U.S. Air Force at Cocoa Beach, Florida, as well as in Alaska. On Oct. 1, 1966, he was united in marriage to Darla Swenson at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. The couple raised three children. Bill made his living as a semi-truck driver for over 30 years, most recently with Wilson Lines. A member of First Lutheran Church, he enjoyed spending his leisure time fishing and boating. Bill spent the last six years wintering in Texas.

He is survived by his sons, Jeff (Sharon) Bailey of Owatonna, Minnesota, and Greg Bailey of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota; his daughter Dawn Bailey also of Owatonna, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Courtney Bailey, Austin Bailey-Padilla, Shelby Bailey, and Reese Hageman; two great-grandchildren, Willow Hageman and Trenton Hageman; one brother, Mike Bailey of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; three sisters, Sandy (Bob) Becht, Linda (Mark) Moliter, and Pat Gillespie, all of Chicago, Ilinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents Irving and Marie Bailey; his wife Darla Bailey; and his brother Jim Bailey.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with Pastor Heidi Heimgartner officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, 2016, at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Cemetery, rural Austin, with military rites by American Legion Post 52 and V.F.W. Post 878. Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.