James W. Bailey, 95, of Penn Yan, passed away at home held in the love of his family, on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. He was born in Nebo, NC on August 19, 1926, the son of James and Jesse Bailey. Jim spent his working life as a heavy equipment operator, retiring in 1991. He served his country as a Transport Airman with the US Navy during WWII in the Asiatic Pacific and with the Philippine Liberation. He was a member of the Penn Yan United Methodist Church. Jim held a deep, lifelong love for nature and the out of doors, he especially loved watching and feeding the birds. Jim's wife and family meant everything to him. He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Elizabeth Brooks Bailey, Penn Yan; four daughters, Leah (Brian) Hawley, Penn Yan, Susan (Steve) Heller, Penn Yan, Lina Bailey Brennan, Penn Yan, Kay Preston, Penn Yan; two sons, Jim (Sharon) Bailey, Williamsburg, VA, Kevin (Katie) Bailey, Penn Yan; eleven grandchildren, Belinda (AJ) Dean, West Point, VA, Jim (Jenn)Bailey, Howell, NJ, Matthew Hawley, Penn Yan, Jared (Laci) Heller, Liberty, IL, Megan (C J) Heinbach,Schenectady, NY, Melissa (John) McCauley, Rochester, NY, Christy (Peter Ragusa) Brennan, Rochester, NY, Mark Preston, Penn Yan, Christopher Preston, Penn Yan, Kendall Bailey, Penn Yan, and Andersen Bailey, Penn Yan; nine great grandchildren, Lyz Dean, Emporia, KS, Grace Bailey, Howell, NJ, Caitlyn Bailey, Howell, NJ, Bailey Heller, Liberty, IL, Bristol Heller, Liberty, IL, Colin Heinbach, Schenectady, NY, Jack Heinbach, Schenectady, NY, L J McCauley, Rochester, NY, and Silas McCauley, Rochester, NY. Jim was predeceased by his sister, Martha Toney. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, September 25, 2021, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Penn Yan United Methodist Church chapel, 166 Main St., Penn Yan. Jim's funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm in the sanctuary. Burial in Lakeview Cemetery will be private for the family immediately following the service. Masks will be required in the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Penn Yan United Methodist Church, 166 Main St., Penn Yan, NY 14527, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, 418 N. Main St., Penn Yan, NY 14527, Keuka Comfort Care Home, 35 Rte 54, E. Lake Rd., Penn Yan, NY 14527 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.