William L. Baker

William Baker Obituary

William (Bill) L. Baker

William (Bill) L. Baker, age 79 of Seattle, Washington died September 28, 2013.

Born in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, his family came north during the depression and eventually settled in Renton. Bill attended the U of W, where he completed a Masters degree in US History. Afterward, he spent his professional life at the U of W, most of that time at the Office of Minority Affairs, where he served as assistant vice president, associate vice president, and interim vice president. Bill championed diversity by serving economically disadvantaged and underrepresented minority and low-income students. His gentle, unassuming way helped to create an environment at the Office of Minority Affairs that was always welcoming. On September 28, Bill died quietly with his sons and and his dog Oscar by his side. He is survived by his sons Jerry and David Baker; grandchildren Clara and Jack; and nephew John Baker.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 17, from 3-6 PM at the UW's Alder Commons Auditorium, located at 1310 NE 40th St. Seattle, WA 98105.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times from Oct. 5 to Oct. 6, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for William Baker

13 Entries

Dwight Johnson

January 14, 2014

He was always very kind and helpful to all he met. Bill was just a wonderfull fellow. The world is better because he was in it.

Bob Oppie

October 19, 2013

Thanks to the Baker Family for hosting the Memorial to Bill. In this way, we had the experience of sharing our memories of Bill and collectively realizing what a unique person he was.
Personally, I loved the "Roots" pictures as I can identify in that respect. For Bill to have come from that enviroment and accomplish what he did speaks to "America". No wonder, he approached his job with such fervor. He had been there in some sense. It is my wish that those who benifited from his work honor his memory.

Leny Valerio-Buford

October 17, 2013

Bill was the Associate VP, UW Office of Minority Affairs, when I joined the unit in 1991. It didn't take long for me to realize that I was working with a real-life hero. Bill didn't just talk the talk, he most certainly walked the walk. Not that the talking and writing part lacked substance...far from it. Bill was forthright and eloquent; every letter he wrote for the students we served achieved its purpose: scholarships, internships, successful appeals for additional financial aid for students in desperate need of assistance. But it was the walk that will stay with me...my physician at Group Health years ago was so excited when she learned I worked for Bill Baker. She said she didn't think her college dreams would ever come true because her family could not afford to send her to college and would prefer that she worked beside them as migrant farmers in the Puyallup area. She said she just about gave up on her dreams and was picking fruits at the orchard that day when she spotted a well-dressed man in a suit walking towards her and her parents. It was Bill Baker who spent the rest of that hot afternoon convincing her parents that she could use financial aid and scholarships to finance her college pursuits. A huge "Thank You" to you, Bill, because you did not hesitate to walk the walk with many of us.

Donna Kelly

October 17, 2013

I am so sad that I will never see Bill again. He was such a great friend to the Kelly family, and especially to my late husband, Dr. Sam. Bill could always be counted on for his unwavering support and crucial insights to the problems at hand during the tumultuous years of building the UW's EOP/OMA. More than that, Bill was one of the finest and brightest people I've ever known, and certainly the best writer.
Bill's firm and gentle presence will never be forgotten by the Kelly family.

October 14, 2013

What a tremendous loss to our world. Bill was one of the most caring spirits around and certainly one of the good guys. He was always there to help, support and nurture. He never turned his back on students, he went the extra mile every time he could. He was dedicated and one of the champions of diversity. He will be missed.

Pamela Transue

October 9, 2013

Bill was a wonderful mentor and friend. He helped to sneak me in to the UW when I didn't exactly meet all the requirements for admission. Since that experience ultimately led to a fulfilling life in teaching and ultimately a college presidency, I have a lot to thank him for. Over the years of our friendship I was so impressed by his deep commitment to social justice and his quiet advocacy for people who needed a hand up. His love of history, particularly the history of the Nez Perce tribe, was something I remember vividly. What a great guy.

Ben Drake

October 8, 2013

Bill was a wonderful man, and a good friend. More than 40 years ago, we hiked the Cascades together, and worked some together too. The memory is fresh to me as his gentle smile, which was present in his voice to the end.

Wendy Hartfelder

October 8, 2013

Bill was a kind and gentle man. He was a wonderful mentor and guide. He had an easy smile and a twinkle in his eyes; his words and deeds were always supportive. I will miss our lunches and his wise counsel.

Jim Morley

October 7, 2013

Bill was my boss for 26 years and we developed a close professional relationship which grew into a deep personal friendship. Bill really cared about the students he helped; it's hard to put into words the respect and admiration that I felt for him.

Bill was a good person and, most of all, he was a true friend. He was always there to listen, to help, and offer advice. He was deeply committed to the idea of equality of opportunity for all and many students were successful because of his efforts.

If we are lucky, we have people in our lives who enrich us by their mere presence. Bill was such a person who believed fervently that education was the best single path to insuring that all people had the right to true equality regardless of the circumstances of their birth.

He was smart, funny, and dedicated to making the promise of American open to all. Someone once said that “grief is the price we pay for love.” Bill was truly loved. He will be remembered as a person who certainly made my life, as well as the lives of many others, richer.

I count myself as truly fortunate in having known Bill.

Tom Taggart

October 7, 2013

One of the great souls that it has been my privilege to know. He was a great story teller, a lover of books, a purveyor of humor, and a lover of the wild places. However, most of all he touched the lives of so many. He cherished welcoming the disadvantaged to world of higher education and worked tirelessly to ensure that they thrived and succeeded at the UW. He will be missed by many.

ken arfsten

October 5, 2013

So many memories of Bill, my brother in law, I could tell you! He would do anything, and I mean just anything to help someone. We spent many days fishing, walking dogs, family dinners, and many other good times together. What a loss for all of us. He is greatly missed and will never be forgotten.

Kathleen Ward

October 5, 2013

That's the smile I knew and loved. He will never be forgotten.

Bob Oppie

October 5, 2013

Truly, one of the good guys! When ever we met he liked to recall how we "invented" the "Hail Mary" pass. There was some hint that it may have led him into his career at the U.W.

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