Bill Baker

Bill Baker (Willard Kent Baker) of Lawrenceville, passed away February 14, 2026 in Decatur, Georgia. Bill will be remembered as a kind and generous man who loved his family, felt at home in nature and had a soft spot for children and animals (notably dogs and deer). He always liked to make people smile, whether in response to his humor, or in delight at his skills as a home chef.

Bill was born in Hertford, North Carolina on March 23, 1938 to Willard F. and Louise R. Baker. Aside from a short stint in New York City during World War II, he grew up in Weeksville, North Carolina, graduating from Weeksville High School. Bill graduated from East Carolina University in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. While attending East Carolina, Bill met the love of his life, Irene Link Baker of Raleigh. They were married shortly after graduation.

Already licensed as a private pilot, Bill entered the U.S. Air Force and went to flight school at Moody AFB in Valdosta, Georgia. As a decorated combat pilot, Bill served his nation proudly in Vietnam and later in Alaska. His decorations include twice being awarded the Air Medal. He achieved the rank of Captain.

Upon completion of active duty, Bill became a pilot for Delta Airlines, mainly based in Atlanta. He flew for Delta for thirty-one years, retiring as an International Captain. As a pilot and in retirement, Bill lived in Stone Mountain and Lawrenceville with Irene, to whom he was married for almost 65 years. Irene had the distinction of being his first passenger (when first licensed as a private pilot) and among those on his final flight with Delta. Together they raised three sons and had nine grandchildren. Bill was a member of McKendree United Methodist Church.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Irene, sister Florence Rush, three sons Willard Kent Baker, Jr. (Vicki), Wallace Link Baker (Belle), William Scott Baker (Jana), and his beloved grandchildren Willard Kent Baker III (Sydney), Colton Dyle Baker, Samantha Alene Baker, Richard Link Baker (Julia), Brewer Gibson Baker, Lawson Malcolm Baker, William Scott Baker, Jr., Daniel Link Baker and Clara Deletta Baker.

The funeral service will be held at McKendree United Methodist Church in Lawrenceville on Saturday, February 21 at noon, with visitation before that at 11:00.