Billie Gene Baker passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, June 12, from “stiff-person syndrome” and Alzheimer’s complications. Bill, son of Floyd and Mildred Baker, was born on December 15, 1939, in Crane, Missouri. He lived in Crane until his family moved to Fair Grove in the early 1950’s. He went to Fair Grove school and graduated inContinue Reading
Billie Gene Baker passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, June 12, from “stiff-person syndrome” and Alzheimer’s complications.
Bill, son of Floyd and Mildred Baker, was born on December 15, 1939, in Crane, Missouri. He lived in Crane until his family moved to Fair Grove in the early 1950’s. He went to Fair Grove school and graduated in 1958.
After graduation, he went into the Army in the 82nd Airborne stationed in Germany from 1958-1961. Before going to Germany, he did boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Bragg and Fort Benning. Before he ever landed in a plane, he made 32 jumps over Germany. Bill loved to tell the story that people though paratroopers were saying “Geronimo” when they jumped, but in fact they were saying “I don’t want to go.”
When he came home, he married his high school sweetheart, Sharlene Taylor, on July 15, 1961. They were married Just shy of 61 years. Bill loved his family, people, farming, all hunting (but pheasant hunting was his passion), and fishing. He was an avid Cardinals fan and enjoyed his Haflinger horses with Sharlene and the family.
Bill was saved at 11 years of age in November, 1950, at Shiloh Baptist Church in Crane, Missouri. I august of 1979, he moved his membership to Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church where he an active member until his health forbid him.
After cutting wood with his father-in-law, he went to work at Dayco (now Timken) in Springfield in 1962. Bill worked there for 40 years retiring in 2002. He then went to work for MFA in Fair Grove for another 10 years retiring again in 2012.
During all these years, Bill and Sharlene traveled far and near with their children to all kinds od sports, school activities, and church. Bill coached many Little League baseball and basketball teams. Afterwards, they continued to attend activities for the grandchildren-their pride and joy.
Bill is survived by his wife, Sharlene, one daughter and three sons, Chris (Debbie) Baker, Tonnia (Mike) Perry, Kip (Melissa) Baker and Ty (Lisa) Baker. They were blessed with eight grandchildren: Cole (Amanda) Baker, Shyrah Perry (fiancé Chris Clinard), Iceley (Tyler) Stieb, Krysta (Tanner) Counts, Brock Baker, Logan (Taylor) Baker, Shelby Baker and Landon Baker. They were great-grandparents to seven: Langston Baker; Edith, Eliza, and Daniel Counts: Macie and Avery Baker; and Crimsyn Stieb. Bill is also survived by two brothers, Gary (Karen) Baker and J.R. (Marie) Baker; three sisters, Shirley (Jim) Rippy, Carolyn (Bill) Lumley and Donna (Dan) Townsend; and sisters-and brothers-in-law, Kent (Beverly) Taylor, Sherry (Ronnie) Todd and Sandra Norton. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Mildred Baker; in-laws, Denzil and Ilene Taylor; granddaughter, Talissa Baker; and three brothers, Bob, Lonnie and Tom Baker. He leaves behind a host of many family members and friends who will miss him. And as he would say, Love you more, more, more” in stead of saying good-bye! This was something special that he shared with his grandkids.
Services for Bill will be at 10:00 am Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Interment with full military honors will follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Friday, June 17, 2022 in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Mt. Olive Cemetery 10 Baker Lane Fair Grove, Missouri 65648 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
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