Charles Bernard Bailey

Charles Bernard Bailey, 85, formerly of Hingham, Mont., passed away at Missouri River Manor in Great Falls on July 14, 2010.

He is survived by his nephew, Gibson H. Bailey of West Yellowstone, Mont .; nieces, Grace Bailey of Hingham, Mont., Karen McGregor of Great Falls, Mont., Jeannie Bailey Martin of Kremlin Mont., and Judy Rassmusen Hoiland of Marion, Mont .; and a sister-in-law, Donna Howe of Great Falls, Mont.

Charles (Chuck) was born May 12, 1925, in Hingham to Herman W. and Grace Stafford Bailey. His family later moved to Box Elder, where he attended schools at Box Elder and Rocky Boy.

He joined the Marine Corps in 1943, and he qualified as a rifle expert and scout observer.

During World War II, he participated in battles on Peleliu Island, Okinawa, and in the occupation of China.

He and two other people were the last ones off of Bloody Nose Ridge after spending 72 hours under massive attack. He received an honorable discharge in

1946. He reenlisted in the Army during the Korean War and was discharged in August 1952.

His civil service career began shortly after with the Air Force, repairing aircraft for McClellen Air Field in California. He also raised Arabian horses while in California and continued with his rifle marksmanship in competition events.

After retiring, he returned to Montana, lived near his brother Howard and spent many hours hunting the area, along with the CM Russell area and the West Yellowstone area, where his niece and nephew lived. Charles was an avid gun collector and loved horses and flirting with the girls.

His family was very important to him, He became a dad to Grace, Gibson and Karen, and a brother/counselor to his remaining family and friends.

He was a very generous person both with his time and affection to the ones he cared for. He will be missed by many!

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Herman

W. Bailey and Grace Stafford Howard; three brothers, Gibson

S. , Richard and Howard Bailey; and a sister, Betty Rassmusen.