WELLSVILLE—James Delbert Bayless, Wellsville, died Feb. 20, 2016, at his home. He was 71.
He was born Aug. 17, 1944, in Osage County, the son of James A. and Audrey M. Gregg Bayless. He grew up in Carbondale and graduated from high school in 1961.
He owned and operated a gas station in Carbondale for several years, was a laborer at Topeka Foundry Iron Works and at the age of 24 began working for Ottawa Truck, retiring in October 2013.
He married Diana Moss Dec. 26, 1987, at Wellsville. They were married 28 years before his passing. She survives of the home.
He loved fishing, hunting, camping, working on cars and just being outdoors. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Merle Bayless; and a son, P.J. Schulz.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Audrey Williams and husband, Casey, Lawrence, Deborah Baker and husband, Robert, Terrell, Texas, and Cynthia Schulz, Wellsville; two brothers, Larry Bayless, Ottawa, and Donald Bayless, Yulee; a sister, Connie Perry of Carbondale; two sisters, Bonnie Siscoe, Carbondale, and Nina Rutledge, Lawton, Okla.; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Feb. 26 at Wilson’s Funeral Home, Wellsville. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wilson’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow services at Wellsville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jim Bayless Memorial Fund and sent in care of Wilson’s Funeral Home, P.O. Box 486, Wellsville, KS 66092.
