Bill Bailey, a prominent CYCA member for over 30 years passed away last weekend. Bill was a very keen sailor who sailed several Sydney Hobarts, Lord Howe, Mooloolooba, Coffs Harbour and Southport yacht races. John Christie remembers Bill fondly, as he started his offshore racing career with Bill in the inaugural Sydney to Airlie Beach Race, in which they won their Division. Bill also raced regularly in the Wednesday afternoon races with RPEYC and RANSA.
 
Bill started his career in the Royal Air Force, flying Hawker Hunters in West Germany until returning to the UK where he trained as a flying instructor and was sent to the RAF College at Cranwell.  After the RAF, Bill emigrated to Australia and joined Qantas, at first on the ground and then as a pilot. He first flew  707’s and rapidly became a Captain and then a Senior Check Captain. When the 747’s arrived Bill transferred to the new planes and remained as a SCC. Bill retired from Qantas in 1998 and occasionally flew a Chipmunk in the UK.
 
Bill spent a lot of time at the CYCA looking after his beloved yacht, more recently Relish Four and was a member of the Emergency Management Committee until his illness early last year. Yachting and Flying were his whole life and like me he resented having to retire at age 60.
 
I and others will miss his enthusiasm and his get up and go spirit, however the pleasant memories live on.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday 29 January 2009 at 1pm at the Magnolia Chapel, Macquarie Park Crematorium. – John Christie