William Francis Baker

William Francis Baker, known affectionately to all as Bill and Bug to those he grew up with, embarked on his final road trip to the great beyond on February 19, 2025, in Riverside, California, after a valiant bout with cancer. Born on Independence Day in 1950, in Corning, New York, Bill was a firecracker from the start, lighting up the lives of everyone around him with his humor and warmth.
Bill's legacy is as enduring as the oldies tunes he adored, with Elvis Presley's swagger and the persistent cheer of a Buffaloes fan, no matter the season's score. His sister Joan Wright, his wife Mickey Baker, his son Michael Baker, his daughter Kimberly Saliba, his grandson Jordan Baker and granddaughter Madison Baker will carry on his tune of joy and resilience.
Bill proudly served his country as a sergeant in the US Army from 1970-1972 during the Vietnam War. His time in the service had a lasting impact on him to which he found his calling: helping fellow veterans.
For years, Bill served as a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program representative with the California Employment Development Department to seek out employment for vets. His commitment didn't wane upon retirement; instead, he amped up the volume on his life's work, helping fellow veterans secure their benefits. He was the man behind the can-collecting them, that is-to ensure that veterans had a turkey at Thanksgiving and a ham come Easter. It's said that Bill could stretch a dollar further than Gumby on a yoga retreat, and he put every penny to good use for those he served.
Bill's love for travel was as boundless as his appetite for seafood. The man known as "Shrimpman" could tackle a plate of crustaceans like it was his last meal, every time. His road trips were legendary-cross-country escapades that could have given any Kerouac novel a run for its money. Las Vegas saw more of Bill than some of its sequined showgirls.
The comedian in Bill never missed a beat, and he lived by the words of the great Groucho Marx: "I intend to live forever, or die trying." His laughter was the kind that filled a room and spilled out into the hallways, the kind that echoed long after he'd left the building. Bill's sense of humor was a jackpot everyone wanted to hit.
To say Bill will be missed is an understatement. He was the life of any party-whether or not there was an actual party happening. His stories, always served with a side of mischief and a twinkle in his eye, will be told and retold, keeping his spirit alive and chuckling along with us.
As the final curtain falls, we bid farewell to Bill Baker, a man who never just "left the building" but made a grand exit with his humor, kindness, and an unshakable faith in the power of a good laugh. So here's to Bill-the man, the myth, the "Shrimpman"-who taught us that life is a highway with plenty of stops for Elvis tunes, seafood feasts, and helping a fellow traveler along the way.
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