William (Bill) Baker

William J. (Bill) Baker, 84, of Harlan, Ky passed away Sunday, March 6, 2016 at his home.

He was born January 31, 1932 in Knoxville, Tenn. and preceded in death by his parents Warren C and Thelma Bowman Baker.  His life was filled with love and devotion to friends, family and community.  He was a proud member of Central Methodist Church of Knoxville Tenn. , 50 year member Past Master of Loyall Lodge 930 current Master of Howard Lodge 819, served as District Deputy Grand Master of District 40 1993-1994, York Rite Member and member of the Oleika Shrine Temple, Lexington. He attended the historic old Knoxville High School, graduating in 1950, attending the University of Tennessee, and then joined the U.S. Army and served in Japan.  He was a staff Sargent and moved to Harlan County.  Harlan became his life long home where he was co-owner of Wallins TV corporation and worked for South Central Bell, where he met and married Mary Stanton Baker. After years of working throughout the county, he retired in 1994.

In addition to his parents, Bill Baker, was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Stanton Baker and special cousins, Kirby and Leona Griffith of Memphis, Tennessee.

Surviving are children Rachel Baker of Nicholasville, Ky. and Joe Bill (Angela) Baker of Harlan, Ky.; grandchildren, Andrew Baker and Jacob Baker.  He was loved and cherished by his family which includes: brother in laws and sister in laws; late James (Mary Agnes) Stanton, George (Elsie) Stanton, John (Lisa) Stanton, late Sanky (Janie) Stanton, late Gertrude (Earl) Blanton, Mildred Shackleford, Bernice (Lewis) Green, Vera Whitehead, Esther Teilmann, Sandra(Gene)Simpson, Ruth (Jack) Jaynes, Georgia Zuckerman and Helen (Van) Gillum.

He also influenced and is loved by a host of nieces and nephews that will always know Harlan either through visits or childhood memories with Bill.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 10, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the chapel of Anderson-Laws and Jones Funeral Home.

Funeral Service will be Friday, March 11, 2016 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Anderson-Laws and Jones Funeral Home.  The Rev. Spencer Burkhart will be officiating the services.

Interment will follow the funeral in the Stanton-Brock Cemetery at Cawood, KY.  Lloyd Simpson, Andrew Baker, David Howard, Chris Williams, Danny Williams, Bill Dean, Todd Gilliam, Denny Pace, Sam France, and Michael Zuckerman will serve as pallbearers.  Military Rites will be provided by the Harlan Honor Guard. Masonic Rites will be observed by Howard Lodge 819.

Anderson-Laws and Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of William J. Baker. Please share a photo or memory at www.aljfh.com.