Obituary of Forrest R. Bailey

Forrest Ray “Hy” Bailey, age 85, died peacefully at his home in Mt. Morris, Michigan on October 5, 2017. A local contractor and owner of Bailey Construction, Hy built thousands of homes in the greater Flint area.  He liked the challenge of “starting out with nothing but a flat piece of ground and seeing what he could make on it.”  A man of faith as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hy enjoyed sharing Bible truths with others and helped construct dozens of Kingdom Halls in Michigan.  He was a happy, quick-witted man who loved making others smile.  He often said, “Most people are about as happy as they choose to be.”

Born November 24, 1931, to Delbert Bailey and Dorthea Wilbur Bailey Fisch, Hy became part of a blended family of 15 children.  Later, upon the death of his wife, Norma Jean Bougas, Hy created his own blended family of nine children when he married the widow of his good friend, Larry G. Amboy.  He proved to be a gentle father, who modeled integrity, a strong work ethic, and a profound love of others.

Hy was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Gordon, Lorraine, Doloris, and half-brother Arthur and sisters Marilyn and baby girl.  He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Alberta Joyce Squires Amboy Bailey, daughters Cathy Ann Rickman (Harold),  Diane Lynn Bailey, Patty Jo Sawvel (Don), and sons Dennis Ray Bailey, Roger Michael Bailey (Becky), Paul Douglas Bailey, Lawrence David Amboy (Robin), Michael Henry Amboy (Kim), Nathan Charles Amboy (Betty), siblings Richard Bailey, Scottie Bailey, Linda Fisch, Mary Ellen Csiki, Charles Fisch, Elton Fisch, Jane Bulmer, Carol Gooding, over 30 grand and great-grandchildren and friends too numerous to count.

Memorial service to be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 2 o’clock at the Clio Kingdom Hall, located at 2368 W Dodge Road, Clio, Michigan 48420, Robert McKenzie presiding.