Ronald Bailey

Ronald Woodrow Bailey "Onion" died January 20, 2021, survived by his ‘angel', his loving and devoted wife of more than forty years, Sharon Baker Bailey, and his canine neighborhood watch group and feline pets. Ronnie is also survived by a sister-in-law, Anne Stone Bailey of Spartanburg, nieces, Tammy Satterfield Kimball of Roebuck, Cheryl Bailey Classen (Tim) of Fairview, OK, nephews, Mark Hayward Bailey (Dolly) of Spartanburg, and Philip Gerald Bailey (Tonya) of Union. He was an uncle to several great and great-great nieces and nephews, and was called brother by many who knew him. A Christian man, Ronnie was the youngest son of the late Woodrow and Kathleen Jones Bailey. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Cornelia Satterfield Haralson of Spartanburg, and brothers, James of Merryville, TN, Bill, Gerald and Frank, all of Spartanburg, and nephews, Greg Bailey and Tracey Bailey of Spartanburg. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was a 1968 graduate of Spartanburg High School. An honorably discharged veteran of the United States Navy, Ronnie proudly flew the American flag at his home and business and has a memorial brick in the walkway of the American Legion Post 28. Following his military service, he became a member of Whitney Lodge 264 and rode motorcycles with The Shop of Spartanburg, a long-standing organization involved in various community awareness and charitable fund-raising programs. It was one of their founding members who bestowed his nickname and, when he married, his wife became Ms. O. Onion was a skilled automotive technician, having worked many years at the Nissan dealership in Spartanburg, earning the designation of Master Technician. He went on to operate his own business, Your Personal Mechanic, for more than twenty-five years. His customer base was long-standing and widespread. Based on referrals, new customers were always calling. Because of his honesty, knowledge, and integrity, folks would travel many miles to entrust their vehicle into his care, often being without transportation for several days. Well respected in his vocation, area technicians sought his advice and counsel. Although a mechanic by trade, he wore many hats. He was a strong and independent man who held nothing back as far as his opinion on any subject. He was a biker including motorcycle drag racing, founder and co-owner of C&O Racing Team (Crash and Onion), carpenter, electrician, farmer, fisherman, friend, plumber, wood splitter, and chief cook/dishwasher at home. He loved to build things, till the soil and plant vegetable seeds, sometimes just to watch them grow. He pumped water from the creek to keep his plants thriving and his garden harvests were plentiful. He always had multiple projects going at once. While he loved his wife, family, and friends, fishing was his passion and he was good at it. He always said his fishing equipment was his 401-k plan because of the investment in rods, reels, lures, electronics, boats and motors. He cleaned and devoured many crappie and the occasional bass, but only if it had to be harvested due to injury, always saying the greater joy was returning the old guys to the lake to fight another day at the end of his pole. Graveside service will be 3:00 PM Saturday, January 30, 2021 in Sunset Memorial Park, 1955 Cannons Campground Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307, conducted by Brother Randy Easler, with Military Honors by The American Legion Post 28 and Masonic Rites by Whitney Masonic Lodge 264. Visitation will follow at the graveside. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Children's Advocacy Center, 100 Washington Place, Spartanburg, SC 29302; Spartanburg Humane Society, 150 Dexter Road, Spartanburg, SC 29302, Safe Homes Rape Crisis, 236 Union Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302, or to Mobile Meals Service, P.O. Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ronald Bailey please visit our Sympathy Store.