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William Baker Obituary
November 1, 1922 – November 8, 2015
Raleigh
William (Bill) Prentiss Baker, Jr. was called to his eternal home with Jesus Christ on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at the age of 93. Bill was born the only child of William Prentiss Baker and Blanche Finnell Baker in Raleigh, NC on November 1, 1922.
He was reared in Raleigh, and graduated from Broughton High School in 1940. He attended Wake Forest College and N.C. State College until World War II when he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. He returned from service and went to work for his father at Baker Roofing Company, Raleigh, NC. His life's career was at Baker Roofing for 50 plus years, retiring as President in the early 90's. His sons have operated the company since that time and it has become one of the leading roofing companies in the U.S.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 44 years, Sandra Foster Baker, and 4 sons, William Prentiss Baker, III (Joan), Frank S. Baker (Rebekah, deceased), Richard Wayne Baker (Jane), and Andrew (Andy) B. Baker (Keri), all of Wake County. Bill's daughter, Carol Ann Haley, predeceased him in 2007.
Bill has 9 grandchildren, Kim Baker Gitter (Kent) of Durham, Kelly Baker Proehl (Ricky) of Charlotte, Kristi Baker Dippel (Keith) of Raleigh, Jennifer Richards Kaplan (Alex) of Culver City, CA, Frank Snow Richards of Raleigh, Joey Baker, of Apex & Winston-Salem, Michelle Juranic (Amanda) of Fuquay Varina, NC, Dylan Scott Baker (Beth) of Raleigh, and Hillary Baker Thomas of Raleigh.
Bill also has 15 great grandchildren, Alex, Austin and Blake Proehl; Colton and Landon Lee; Tilson, Ellie and Gray Gitter; Sophie and Cooper Kaplan; Hollis, Ladd, and Emmy Baker; and Eliza and Addie Thomas.
Bill and Sandra attended First Presbyterian Church for over 30 years. They were active members of The Church of the Holy Cross for over 15 years.
Bill was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Rotary Club of Raleigh, Professional Estimators Association, Carolinas Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association, Recipient of the Gordon M. Waters Distinguished Service Award by CRSMCA in 198, Waterproofing Association of North Carolina, and the Sports Club of Raleigh.
He had the gift of faith because of the reality of his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a true Southern Gentleman, accepting every situation with grace.
Bill's greatest joys were his family and many friends.
We would like to thank Brighton Gardens and staff for their loving care of Bill.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, November 15, at 3:00 p.m. at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh and a visitation will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 and The Church of the Holy Cross, 2301 W. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27612.
Online condolences may be offered at www.bryan-lee funeralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Baker
5 Entries
Kevin Sherron
November 30, 2015
I only met Bill Baker once at a Professional Construction Estimators Assoc. meeting. As current treasurer of PCEA, I would like to extend our condolences to the family. My father, Tom Sherron, owner of Sherron Roofing & Sheet Metal, would also like to extend his condolences as he knew Bill as a competitor in the 80's and 90's. Rest in Peace.
November 17, 2015
Prentiss and family. I remember Bill very fondly and enjoyed seeing him at the CArolina's meetings. He was a real southern gentleman. Billy Fort
Jim & Diana Mason
November 14, 2015
We loved Bill and his sweet, giving spirit. He was a patriarch in our church family. We rejoice in his place of rest. He was ready to go a long time ago. Blessings and peace to all the family.
Jim & Diana Mason
Joseph Sansom
November 13, 2015
May the Peace of the Lord be with the Baker family. William Prentiss (Bill) Baker, Jr. is in a place that we all want to be, when it is our time. Rest in Peace.
Peace & Love,
Joseph M. Sansom
Adam Moser
November 13, 2015
I have very fond memories of Bill at the Raleigh AGC Planroom. Back in the day Bill, Lynn Powell & myself were the daily mainstays in the planroom. We would wait for each other to finish our take-offs and pass the plans 7 specs back and forth to each other. My prayers & condolences go out to the entire Baker Family.
Adam Moser -- Ken Moser Company
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Bryan-Lee Funeral Homes - Raleigh831 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27604
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