Former instructors and trainers remember Ky. Fish & Wildlife recruit who died in a training accident

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – It's been almost a week since game warden recruit William “Tex” Bailey died following a Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife training in Barren County.

Officials said he was taking basic swimming and water survival training when he experienced a medical emergency.

“Warden Bailey is known by the public to be very caring, selfless, considerate and a man of faith. He was known to his academy class as their leader and always had positive energy,” said Colonel Jeremy McQueary of the department.

McQueary said Bailey is expected to graduate from the academy in the spring of next year.

“We are saddened, heartbroken and forever grateful for his service to the Commonwealth,” he added.

Before being recruited as a game guard, Bailey was an offensive lineman for the Eastern Kentucky University football team.

He began his college football career around the same time that Walt Wells started as the team's head coach.

“Great teammate, great person. “Always positive, always optimistic and caring and worried about his brother when I say brothers, teammates,” Wells said.

Wells said he learned the news about Bailey when the team flew to Texas for a game.

Wells added that there are several current players who played alongside Bailey.

“Of course we were shocked and wondering what happened,” Wells said.

The Colonels walked off the grid with a win this Saturday, but this one felt even more special.

“After the game, when John Stone, when we were singing 'Cabin on the Hill' and stuff, John said, 'Hey, it's not a coincidence that we're in Texas and Tex is watching over us,' and so, I “I think you can tell how much it meant to them,” Wells said.

Wells and the team send their condolences to everyone who knew and loved him off the field.

“I just got off the phone with his dad and we’re praying for them. We are there for them and they know that if they need anything from us, we will be there for them,” Wells added.

Bailey is a native of Alabama and his funeral ceremonies will be held there Friday.

Copyright 2024 WKYT. All rights reserved.