WGVU radio host dies suddenly

A morning radio host and program manager at the public media station WGVU, at Grand Valley State University, died suddenly June 12. Bill Bailey, 66, collapsed on the 17th tee of the Meadows golf course in Allendale during the WGVU golf outing. Coworkers attempted to give Bailey CPR before he was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Bailey was a host and program manager for Real Oldies where he served the Grand Rapids area playing music from the 50s, 60s and 70s during his morning broadcast. He was born and raised in Chicago and spent over 30 years in the radio business working at stations in Detroit, Chicago, New York and Washington D.C.

During his career he won the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for Station of the Year in 1998. He was also a finalist for Billboard Magazine’s Air Personality of the Year and Program Director of the Year, as well as being a finalist for the NAB’s Crystal Award in 2005, 2006 and 2007.