Ralph Lewis Bayless, age 93, of Wilmington, died Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at his home with his family by his side. He was born March 19, 1925 in Melvin, Ohio the son of the late Willie and Asha (Brewer) Bayless. He was an avid Horse Racing fan, and loved to hunt mushrooms. Ralph was a Veteran of the United States Army serving during W.W.II. He served in the “Blue Devils”, was a Combat Infantry Rifle Expert, and received the Good Conduct Medal and W.W.II Victory Medal. Ralph is survived by his wife Peggy Lou (Early) Bayless; children, Ralph Edward Bayless of Hillsboro, Roseanna Shoemaker of Wilmington, Tina (Jimmy) Storer of Blanchester, Robin (Jim) Carpenter of Wilmington, Mary (Ronnie) Ringer of Wilmington, and Shane (Laura) McCoy of West Union; grandchildren, Rhoda Johnson, Tina Edwards, Michael (Lacy) Shoemaker, Lorie (Shawn) Thompson, Danny (Alyssa) Drake, Jimmy Carpenter, Jamie (Tim) Vinup, Kristi Ringer, Veronica (Carl) Malatt, Tyler McCoy, Makayla McCoy, Larry (Brandy) McCoy, Tony (Marie) Hamilton, and Angie Hamilton; and several great, and great great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by three daughters, Patricia Clark, Barbara Hamilton, and Linda Bayless; granddaughter Lisa Marie Bayless; two sisters, Elva Haines and Cleo Dixon; two brothers, Ernest Bayless and William “Bill” Bayless; and daughter-in-law Marcella Bayless. Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at Brown Funeral Home, Wilmington. Joshua Dixon, of Wilmington Bible Baptist Church will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded at the funeral home immediately following services by American Legion Post #49 Memorial Squad. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Port William. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service on Wednesday, November 28, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. For more information, or to sign our on-line register, please visit www.arehart-brown.com or see our Facebook page, Brown Funeral Home.
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