Homer L. Bays

Homer L. Bays, 79, of Bidwell, Ohio passed away on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at his residence.

Born on October 8, 1942 in Gallia County, Ohio, Homer was the son of the late Andrew D. and Della Barry Bays.  Homer married Mary Brown Bays, who survives him in Bidwell. In 1992, Homer retired from Gallipolis Developmental Center as a food service supervisor.  Homer attended Fellowship Baptist Church.

He was born into a wonderful family who were hard working, not rich in money by any means but very rich in love of God and love of life for each other.  They were the kind of family who were very tightly knit together by their love for their wonderful Lord and Savior- Jesus Christ.  They were the kind of family who together made farm work fun.  They worked hard from sun up to sun down- even made bets with each other who could do the most; but come Sunday, they had meals fit for Kings when all the family would gather around the table to honor their Lord and loved their time with each other.  They even welcomed their neighbors who dropped in unannounced and invited them to eat which they did.  They were the kind of family whose handshake was true, a promise was a promise, and who helped their neighbors when something was needed.  The brothers were competitive with each other, Homer, Charles, and Jim; and the rule of the house was that the last one out of bed had to make it.  Mom and Dad always knew when they were up as the noise upstairs went from quiet to a full-blown sound of wrestling and shouting.

Homer was a proud father of his family with love in his heart for his wife and two precious daughters- Lisa and Tammy.  Homer was so proud of them for their great love for their Lord and Savior with their love spilling out to our grandchildren and great grandchildren and their own love for the Lord.

We won’t say goodbye to our loved one; but we will say, see you later.  He has left a lifetime of love and will be forever in our hearts.

Homer is survived by his wife, Mary K. Bays of Bidwell; daughters, Lisa (Bill) Theiss of Gallipolis, Ohio and Tammy (Benjie) Lewis of Westerville, Ohio; five grandchildren, Kayla (Will) Smith, Garrett (Tori) Theiss, Jonah Lewis, Jayden Lewis, and Dawson Lewis; two great grandchildren, Sadie Smith and Calvin Smith; nieces, Brenda Purvis and Kimberly Blackburn; and nephews, David Strait, Daniel Bays, Bill Bays, and John Bays.

In addition to his parents, Homer was preceded in death by sisters, Kathleen Strait, Clara Shaver, Magdalene Randolph, and Margaret Reynolds; brothers, John William Bays, William John Bays, Charles Bays, and James Bays; nephews, Steven Bays and Mike Bays; and nieces, Christi Halley and Edna “Peachie” Bays Watson.

The funeral service for Homer will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at Fellowship Baptist Church with Pastor Mark Beaver and Pastor Alfred Holley officiating.  Burial will follow in Centenary Cemetery.  Friends may call prior to the service Tuesday from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the church.

Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.