William Jackson "Joe" Baker, Jr.

WADESBORO - On Thursday, March 6, 2025, Mr. William Jackson "Joe" Baker, Jr., 88, passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and daughter at his bedside.

There will be a memorial service at 3;00 PM, Sunday, March 9 2025 at Deep Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Perko officiating.

The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the church and other times at the home.

W. J. was born August 21, 1936 in Anson County, NC and was a son of the late William Jackson Baker and the late Nezzie Irene Chewning Baker. He was a graduate of Deep Creek High School and served with the North Carolina Air National Guard for 9 years. He worked with Duff Norton, now Coffing Hoists in Wadesboro for 33 years.

He was a life-long member of Deep Creek Baptist Church where he has served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and on the cemetery and building committees. His heart was always at his beloved Deep Creek.

Those who are left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Brenda Carter Baker; his daughter and son-in-law, Angie and Troy Martin of Albemarle; his granddaughter, Haley Martin of Albemarle; his step-brother, Bobby Forbis of Connecticut; his children of the heart, Patti Poulnott, Amy Hildreth (Sean), Wendy Treadaway and Linda Adcock (Bucky); his bonus grandchildren, Jackson Poulnott, Nathan Hildreth, Jessica Bowers, Taylor Treadaway and Laci Treadaway; and his nieces and nephews and their families. He dearly loved his family and time shared with his grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Frederick Gerald Baker and William Jackson "Jackie" Baker, III; his step-mother, Mollie Forbis Baker and his sisters and brothers, Myrtle Morris, Norman Baker, Thomas Baker, Gene Baker, Iva Mae Baker, Irene Knotts, Anna Murdock, Willie Carpenter, Hurley Baker, Richard Baker and Edward "Mushy" Baker.

The family would like to express their sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Gentiva Hospice for all the love and care they have shown to W.J. and the family, to Rev. Mark Perko and the Deep Creek Church family for the outpouring of love and support given them and to his nephew, Donnie Murdock for his support.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 1198 Rockingham Rd., Rockingham, NC 28379.

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com