Earl Lee Bays, of Dixon, was born on July 21, 1940, at Mt. Vernon, the son of Barney Lee and Thelma Inez (Alexander) Bays, and departed this life at 10:18 a.m., on Monday, July 29, 2019, at his residence. He had attained the age 79 years, and 8 days.

Mr. Bays was first united in marriage on June 28, 1958, at Dixon, to Velma Wannita Huffman, who preceded him in death on June 29, 2002. He later was united in marriage on April 29, 2003, at Dixon, to Mary Syrilda (Atterberry). In addition to his first wife he was preceded in death by his father, Barney, June 18, 1969; his mother, Thelma, on October 2, 1985; and two brothers, Bill Bays on February 14, 2001; one infant Wayne Bays on May 17, 1943; one half-sister, Virginia Curtman on June 27, 2008; and one half-brother Warren Bays on February 3, 1992.

Earl was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, St. Roberts. During his working life he was employed as a Correctional Officer for the Missouri Department of Corrections, Jefferson City from 1969 until 2000 retiring as a Captain after 31 years. He enjoyed rodeos, country music, trucks, traveling and being with his family. Earl was a people person and loved visiting with family and friends.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. Bays include: His wife, Mary Bays, of the home near Dixon; one son, Doug Lee Bays, Dixon; one daughter, Catherine Marie Heinz, Salt Lake City, Utah; one brother, Jim Bays, Cedar Grove, Tennessee; one sister, Ruth Headrick, Tucson, Arizona; four grandchildren, Brandon and Scott Astin of Salt Lake City, Utah; SFC/Master Diver Jeramy and Brittany Bays of Williamsburg, Virginia; Trinity and Andrew Bays both of California, Missouri; seven step-children; eighteen step-grandchildren, twenty-three step-great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation for Mr. Bays will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Friday, August 2, 2019, with a funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. all in the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, 105 East Third Street, Dixon, Missouri 65459.

Private interment was in the Clifty Cemetery, near Dixon. Honorary pallbearers will be Andrew Bays, Jeramy Bays, Brandon Astin, Lynn Bays, Billy Bays, Will Beck, Isaac Tilberg, Jakob Robertson, and Caden Robertson.

Memorials are suggested to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, with envelopes available at the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Dixon, or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, Missouri 65459.