William Bailey Dunford

On June 25, 2022, one of the sweetest, kindest, most generous men passed away. Our husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, Bailey Dunford, completed his battle with Parkinson’s Disease with Dementia.

Bailey was born to William Eugene and Etta Stowell Dunford on October 26, 1948. He grew up in Holladay, Utah.

At 17 years old, he joined the Navy where he served four years.  His time was spent aboard submarines; namely, the USS Queenfish, the USS Sculpin, and the USS Snook.  He was always so proud of the fact that he was one of the first Utahns to stand at the North Pole. Bailey served as a “cook” on a submarine.

Bailey graduated from Utah Technical College in Drafting Design Technology and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.  He worked for Chytraus Heating & AC, Holbrook Company, and Team Mechanical. In 2000 he and two partners formed North Star HVAC, which became a fast-growing, successful business.  Bailey gained many friendships during his time with North Star before retiring in 2014. He was always respected for his honest business ethics.

Bailey married Jill Croxford on April 19, 1986.  They had two daughters, Kelsee Leah and Kassidee Bailee.  In 1995 they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

Bailey is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and always had a strong testimony of his Savior. His callings mostly consisted of serving with the youth and they all loved him and maintained friendships with many of them for years.

Bailey served three missions for the Church; one 6-month mission with Jill to the Farmington, New Mexico mission; a 2-year mission, also with Jill, in an Ogden inner city ward; and 2 years in the Bishops’ Storehouse.  Serving the Lord as a missionary was always so important to Bailey.

Some of Bailey’s favorite things in the world were hunting and fishing.  He loved his trips to Alaska and especially loved going to Africa. But above all else, his favorite place was Saint Charles, Idaho and spending his time at the cabin.

Anyone who knows Bailey can attest to his great sense of humor and his ability to tease and be teased. He always had nicknames for people he was closest to. His daughter Kelsee was called “Kelso Kid.” Kassidee was “Little Kiss.” To know Bailey was to love Bailey. He referred to his girls as his “Pitbulls.”

Although it is devastating to lose such a great man, knowing we’ll be with him again gives us much comfort. His mother and her “Father” and other loved pre-deceased family members have been reunited in the “Tall Timber.”  Love you, Dad.

Bailey is survived by his wife of 36 years, Jill; his son Rick Dunford (Shauna); his son Shawn; his daughter Kelsee (Colin) Wardell; his daughter Kassidee (William) Shoemaker; his brother Rick Dunford (Beth); his sister Beckie (John) Adamson; his grandchildren Josh (Megan 2), Isaac, Megan Dunford; Brecken Shoemaker; and Lochlan Wardell. His in-laws and nieces and nephews loved and respected him.

The family wants to thank the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home for their sweet and loving compassionate care of Bailey.  The staff there truly are angels who watched over him the past four months.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 1, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5378 W. Old Hwy. Rd., Mountain Green, Utah. Friends and family may visit Thursday, between 6 and 8 p.m., at Russon Mortuary, 1941 N. Main, Farmington, Utah, or Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., at the church prior to services. Interment will be at the Bloomington, Idaho City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home, 1102 North 1200 West, Ogden, Utah.

The services will be streamed.

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