Richard Reese Bailey, 71, of Milton passed away Saturday Nov. 3, 2012, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Bailey was born in Milton, the son of the late Howard and Melba (Copes) Bailey.

Mr. Bailey worked for over 30 years for Burns Well Drilling, before retiring in 1996. After retiring Mr. Bailey worked for Lockwood Construction. He was a hard worker and loved to help others; was a devoted family man; and enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports. He was an avid Virginia Tech fan, enjoyed watching wrestling and gardening.  He also loved sitting in his garage and watching cars go by and having people stop by to talk.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Bailey was preceded in death by eight siblings.

Mr. Bailey is survived by his loving wife Marlene (Tyrrell) Bailey; children Deborah Hrusko and Tony, Lori Bailey and Casey, Janice Lambrose and David, Donald Dutton Sr. and Vicki, Cindy Bunting and Michael, Wanda Smith and Dennis, Deborah Sharp and Henry, brothers, Clarence “Gigger” Bailey and Louise, and Donald Bailey; sister Nancy White; grandchildren Kent Ford Jr., Dalton Hrusko, Alexis Hrusko, Wallace Moore Jr., Laurie Trice, Elizabeth Helm, David Lambrose Jr., Terry Dutton, Nicole Dutton Muncey, Donald Lee Dutton Jr., Victoria Bunting, Shane Smith, Josh Sharp, Nicholas Sharp and Dylan Sharp; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton, where a visitation will be held Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m.  Interment will be in Reynolds Cemetery, Milton.

Flowers are accepted or contributions can be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 28467 DuPont Blvd., Suite 6, Millsboro, DE 19966.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Compassionate Care Hospice for their wonderful service during this difficult time.