William Lawrence Baker Sr.

1917 - 2011

Lawrence Baker was the beloved son of William and Carrie Baker. He was born in Stockton, AL. When he was 7 years old they moved to Pensacola, FL and from then on he made Pensacola his lifelong home although he traveled extensively as an engineer in the Merchant Marines.

He met and married Videll Burke while they worked at the San Carlos Hotel. They enjoyed a remarkable life together and had three children, William Lawrence "Larry" Baker, Jr., Linda Baker Alumbaugh and Leland Marty Baker. He had one son, Gene Baker before he married Videll Burke.

He was a faithful member of Northside Church of Christ. He was also an active member of the downtown YMCA and the American Legion. After leaving Merchant Marines he went to work as a civil service employee at NAS, Pensacola.

He loved his home and enjoyed frequent visits from his family, which include grandchildren, Lee and Sunny (Ryiko) Rankin, Jacob Baker, Angela Baker Marchetti, Cara Baker Campion, Lauren Baker and James Baker, and seven great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

In his long life he enjoyed good health and his decline was swift. He will be missed by many, many friends and his family. While in Merchant Marines he visited many cities all over the world but always said Pensacola was the most beautiful city he had ever seen.

The family will received visitors from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel. The funeral will be on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 2 p.m. with the interment to follow at Bayview Memorial Park.

Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel entrusted with arrangements