Among the many attending Thursday’s Rotary Sweet Corn Feed/Pork Chop Karate Chop fundraiser in downtown Oelwein was Betty Blunt, who, as a long-time resident of the city, is no stranger
HOLDEN Early in 2020, the Gale Free Library received a cryptic letter, the contents of which, once deciphered, seemed too good to be true.
The letter appeared to indicate that the library was the remaining beneficiary on two trust funds from Carrol Bill W. Bailey and his wife, Betty Blunt Bailey. The funds totaled $1.3 million.
Bailey fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. His wife was a classically trained pianist who played with some of the most celebrated performers of the day.
After the war, they settled down to a long and quiet life in Holden. Betty died in 1997 and Bill in 2013. Their son Kent Bailey, also an accomplished musician as well, was a member of the band Ascension which was the opening act for the band The Who at Holy Cross College in October, 1969.