Wilbur J. Bailey, 87, of Wethersfield, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 9, 2014, with his tranquil spirit intact. Wilbur was born in Grand Rapids, MI, May 24, 1926, as one of four children of Clarence and Mabel Bailey. Wilbur graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1943. He graduated from the University of Michigan with undergraduate degrees in engineering physics and engineering mathematics. He was a lifelong avid Wolverines fan. Upon graduation, he took a job with Lear Jet, followed by General Motors, and then retired from Stanley Works after 23 years. He is a veteran of World War II in the Engineering Distribution Company of the Army Corps of Engineering in the Pacific Theater. He had a zest for boating, especially sailing and spent years as a volunteer instructor for the U.S. Power Squadron. Wilbur is survived by children James and Betsy Bailey of Seymour, TN and Nadine and Jerry Dube of Newington, CT; a brother George Bailey of Melbourne, FL; sister-in-law, Sophie Baweja of Wayland, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Stella, and brothers Curtis and Frederick. Private funeral services are being handled by Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home. To share a memory with the family, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com.