Coach Hailey was born August 20, 1928, to Jemmie Chancellor and Chester Hailey. He was a member of Coy Methodist Church. Coach Hailey finished high school at Prince Chapel in Kemper County in 1949. He served in the U. S. Army twice. After finishing high school he enrolled in E. M. C. C. at Scooba, Mississippi. He went to the University of Southern Mississippi and received his Bachelor’s degree. Later he received his Master’s degree at Mississippi State University. He coached basketball for 29 years. He coached at Burn’s, Lambert, Bruce, Calloway, Philadelphia, Burnsville and Edinburg. He was the high school principal at Burnsville for two years. His crowning achievement was winning the State Basketball tournament in 1962 at Lambert. He was elected into the Coaches Hall of Fame in 1987 and into the Coaches Hall of Fame at E. M. C. C. in 2008. He had a record of 867 wins and 17 losses when he retired. After retiring he moved back to his farm in Winston County where he enjoyed farming, camping, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed working with his cattle.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ceceile Bostick Hailey; his son, Marc Hailey, of Louisville, Mississippi and his grandson, Rev. Ben Hailey and wife Beth, of College Station, Texas. Coach Hailey is also survived by his great-grandson, Nathan Hailey and his great-granddaughter, Hannah Hailey both of College Station, Texas. He leaves behind one sister Jerry Dees, of Sebring, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Mike and Terry Hailey; sisters, Hazel, Francis, Rachel, Sybil and Aldean; and brothers, Chancellor, Boleyn and Duane Hailey.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.