Walter Thomas (W.T.) Bailey was the son of Walter Thomas and Estell Broughton Bailey. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps April 13, 1943 at Nashville, Tennessee, to serve during the national emergency. His qualifications following training were: armorer, aircraft-ssn 911. His overseas duty was with the 33rd Marine Air Group in the central Pacific area from September 21, 1944, until November 16, 1945. He participated in the Okinawa Island operations and aerial operations against the Japanese empire. He was promoted to corporal, aviation duty and honorably discharged on January 29, 1946.

He married Julia Mae Bishop on April 16, 1949. Employed by Anderson-Clayton Cotton Company, he joined the National Guard, Company M, 117th Infantry on 29 August 1951. He was honorably discharged as a Master Sergeant on June 18, 1952.

His community service included: Tipton County Election Commission, Democrat Committeeman/County Vice-Chairman, V.F.W. Commander 1951, American Legion, Sons of Confederate Veterans. A member of the Memphis Cotton Exchange, buyer, grader for 35 years, he died November 3, 1981.