2010

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~ '~ {'...j ~· ~ECCC's Alumnus of the Year...... · Bailey credits .coJllDlunity for his success After learning of his selection as East Central Community College's other newer services."

dent of the Newton Flying Club and holds a certified airman certifi– cate. He has taught more than 50 people how tony. He helped to organ– ize and served a s Chairman of the Board of Directors for Newton County Academy. Bailey helped to organize tbe Decatur Chamber of Commerce of which he iB a past president, and was instrumental in Decatur being named a "Key Community." He is also a former mem– ber of the Decatur Board of Aldermen and served many years as a volunteer fireman. He iB also a past president of the Decatur Business Club and served as chair– man of the Decatur Re– vitalization Program. ln addilion to making n donation to help bu ltd n now fi re station in Decatur and to help purchase new

fire equipment, Bailt•y also donated 75 acres of lnnd to the Town of Decatur for an Industrial Park. "Our basic tclt~phone rate is the same today as it was in 1978." A published author, be penned "Won't You Come Honw Bill Bailey," a r'CC~ ollection of war stories, his per sonal favorite t>tories and stories of his many years in the telephone busi– ness. He is a member of Decatur United Methodist

Cburch and has served on the church finance, pastor parish relations and build– ing committees and the Board of Stewards. Bill and Louise Bailey have been married 67 years and have two children. Dr. Mark Bailey is a neurolo– gist in Birmingham and specializes in pain manage– ment. Dr. Esther Bailey Smith completed her... Ph.D. in business management and helps run the family busi– ness.

"Our son (Dr. Mark Bailey) was in medical school and met a doctor from Columbia, South America who was trying to get different things sent back to his hometown. When he found out what Mark's parents did , he asked ii he could talk to us about setting up a phone system there," said Bailey. "We decided to fly down and see what they would need. Once we had evaluat– ed the situation, then we called all the companies in tlie Independent Telephone Pioneers Association a nd told them what we needed to make this happen. "Of course theywere all willing to help. Even the cable company donated the cable. Once everything was

. ,Alumnus of the Year, Bill Bailey of Decatur said, "I was stunned really to be recognized with this honor; however, my community deserves part of this recog– _nition because without them I couldn't have made it. The town, the local com– munities, schools, church– es, and others have all been a part of my success." William Dunigan "Bill" Bailey, who will be honored Oct. 2, during Homecoming activities, and his wife, Louise, hav<' owned and operated the Decatur Telephone Company since 1945 when they purchased it lrom Katie Perkins and Malley McWhorter.

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helped provide funds to construct a new entrance and landscaping for the ECCC football stadium, which was re-named Bill and Louise Bailey Stadium. Bailey is a former presi-