Wathagene Bailey

08/08/1925 – 01/22/2013
Wathagene Bailey, age 87 passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 in Bellingham, WA. She was born August 8, 1925 in Galena, KS to Henry and Dorothy (Morgan) Upton. She worked 17 years as a supervisor for Pacific Bell and for 20 years as a hospital account supervisor in Los Gatos, CA. When she moved to Bellingham in 2005, she became a faithful and devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Wathagene was a faithful and devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bellingham.  She was very active in the Republican Party and served in leadership positions in both the Tuolumne County Republican Women of California and the Republican Women of Whatcom County. She also served as president of her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi.  Wathagene was preceded in death by her husband Elmer, sister Betty and mother Dorothy. She is survived by her daughters Devora (husband Bob) Detherage, Cheryl (husband Tom) Koonsman, grandchildren Aaron Koonsman, Heather Rutherford (husband Jeff), Naomi Hunsaker (husband Geoff), great-grandchildren Desmond and Lily Hunsaker, brother John Upton and many loving relatives and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 Texas St. in Bellingham on Saturday, February 2nd at 11 AM, followed by a reception at the church.  Memorials may be made to the Republican Women of Whatcom County, c/o Lisa Sherry, President, 917 W. Pacificview Drive, Bellingham, WA 98229.