William C. “Bill” Baker, 80, of Clearwater, Florida, died Monday, April 22 at home under the care of hospice with his family by his bedside.
Born January 6, 1933 in Kinston, NC. He joined the Navy in 1951 after graduating from Grainger HS. After his Navy service, he graduated from NC State with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He moved to Bakersfield, California to begin his career as a Civil Engineer. He then moved back to his hometown of Kinston, NC and worked as a Civil Engineer their. He later moved to Raleigh, NC to work for the Department of Streams & Sanitation. He moved to Clearwater in 1983 and began his career with the City of Clearwater. He retired from the City of Clearwater as City Engineer & Assistant City Manager and Public Works Director. Among his achievements for the city was working on the project to design the new Sand Key Bridge and the re-design of Harborview Center. His retirement didn’t last long. He went to work for Florida Design Consulting and later worked in contracting for the Tampa Aviation Authority. Before his health declined he was the City Engineer & the Assistant City Manager for the City of Safety Harbor. He has been a member of First Assembly of God Church for 30 years, serving as a Deacon and loved teaching Sunday school.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Barbara Baker, Clearwater, two daughters, Abby Baker Capaz, of Fredericksburg, VA, Laura Menendez, Tampa, a son Ronnie Workman, of Maiden, N.C., his brother Don Baker, Franklin, NC, and 3 grandchildren, Caleb, Larysa & Lauren.
His family will receive friends 10 AM on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at First Assembly of God, 1739 S. Martin L. King Avenue, Clearwater. The funeral will begin at 11 AM. Bill will be buried with full Military Honors at Bay Pines National Cemetery.
Please sign the guestbook below.
Barb, Laura,
Hard to believe that Bill is gone. Kim and I looked up to him for his faithfulness to our church. You could count on him. Such a wise man. It is an honor to me to help you with his funeral. Please let Kim and I know if you guys need any help.
i’m proud to say that bill was my friend. i respected him as a man of great faith, character, and humor. he was a fine southern gentleman.
laura , prayers for you and you mom and rest of family
We will truly miss Bill. He was a faithful servant and a dear brother in Christ. He always had a kind word for everyone. He ran a great race and now he is receiving his reward. We pray for God’s peace to surround the family as they grieve the loss of a faithful husband and father. He was an example of faith and servant hood to all who new him. We have lost a true champion of the faith.
Wonderful and faithful man. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Praying for your family – you are all in my thoughts. Bill was a wonderful man of God and will be greatly missed by many people.
Dear Barbara and family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your husband Bill. Celebrating his life with you and the joy of knowing that he is with the Lord he loved and loved to share with all those around him. All the years of teaching and ministering at First Assembly has blessed our lives and so many others. He will be greatly missed here on earth but he is rejoicing with his Lord and Savior. Leading Sunday school in heaven for sure.
God Bless and keep all of you.
Love,
Marsha & Doug McArthur
Barbara, Laura, and family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during your loss. We enjoyed attending Bill’s Sunday School class and singing in the choir with him at First Assembly in Clearwater. He was such a faithful servant and now is with Jesus.
Bill was an awesome man. He was a great teacher, and we loved being in his Sunday School class. We had some great times together going out to dinner, Sunday School parties at your home and choir practices. He was always fun to be around and we loved to hear him pray. He was a great friend and we will miss him. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Barbara & family: Bill was a true “man of God”. He will be missed by all those who knew him. May the Lord grant you peace and comfort as you go through this difficult season…..God is ALWAYS there by your side, holding you up….just lean on Him.
My deepest condolences for your loss.
Barbara, Laura and family, Mu t,houghts and prayers are with you in this time of loss. Bill was a man of honor, integrity, wisdom. But most of all he loves Jesus, His word and his family.Over the years, we have shared many memories. Singing in the choir, Productions at church, Bible studies. He was always willing to give Godly advice and to pray. He changed many lives. His legacy will live on forever as a man who was a True Soldier of the cross. Love you.
Barbara and Family, Bill was a true man of God and southern gentleman. It was an honor to be his friend and we have such good memories of that friendship and time with both of you. You are in our heart and prayers.
Heaven has just gotten a really good guy. You will be missed my friend. Your friendly spirit and smile. Will miss seeing you on the front row! May God bless and keep Barbara and family and give you comfort as only He can at this time. Will see you again Bill on the other side!
Dear Barb & Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful husband, stepfather, father in law, and grandpa. I celebrate with you that Bill is home with Jesus. He is alive with a new body, and singing praises to our God. Something else to think about is that Bill is with Bill Bascom, Pastor Steve, and Iris Garcia can you imagine. Our God is great and oh would I like to be privy to their conversations. You are loved!
I remember Bill as a true Southern Gentleman and kind person. I will never forget shortly after Wendell’s death that I received a water bill from City of Clearwater for over $600.00. Of course, I was dumbfounded. I called Bill and they came out to find that I had a leak from meter….thank goodness it was on City’s side. Also remember when Shannon was at Camp Lejuene during his Marine days, that Bill gave us his brother’s name and address and on a trip up to see Shannon we went out to see him. Your loss is great…but God is and will be with you during these difficult days.
Bill,
You will be missed. We will not be able to replace your wisdom, dedication, leadership, support, friendship, and personality.
Take care good friend, take care.
The City of Safety Harbor
Barbara and Family:
I was greatly saddened to learn of Bill’s passing. As you surely know he was a wonderful person and an outstanding engineer- the best City Engineer I ever worked with! Please know that Me and my family holds each of you, and Bill, close in thought and prayer.
Rest in Peace Mr. Baker.. And Prayer for the family .
Abby and family,
I know you are greatly saddened by the loss of your dad. Just remember he is always watcing over you. Be comforted by your faith and your memories. We love you!
Amy
Dear Baker Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I worked with Bill at the City of Safety Harbor. He always made me smile whenever he entered the room. I’ll never forget that… In deepest sympathy. -Lisa
The memories I have of my father will last a lifetime. He will be thought of so very often by myself, his grandson, Caleb and many many friends. He thought of everyone as a possible friend and believed in the best in everyone around him.
From all of us at Gateway Christion Center
comes our love and prayers to all of the family.Be assured of continued prayer through out this time of loss.Words can not fill the void you now feel but the promised Comforter from heaven is a real and present help.
We know that the value of a special man cannot be measured….Only Treasured!
My grandfather loved me for 18 years. I will miss him for a lifetime.
Barbara and family- Bill was such a wonderful spirit to be around. An amazing ’Man of God’ is how he will be remembered best. It was an honor to work with the Baker family, both personally and professionally. You all are in our prayers. Bill knew God was calling him to a better place. Remember all the good times and soon your tears will turn into laughter. God Bless.
Bill was a great engineer and a true gentleman. I was privileged to work with him in Safety Harbor and so enjoyed his positive outlook on life. May your memories of Bill keep you smiling.
Bill and I were good friends for many years.
He led me to Christ.I will miss him greatly.
Randall Kornegay
Burlington,NC
http:safetyharbor.patch.comarticlesbill-baker-longtime-safety-harbor-city-official-passes-away-at-80
We are deeply saddened to learn of Bill’s passing. We will miss him deeply. He was a wonderful person and a true friend. Barbra, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. With Deepest Sympathy, Carl & Cindy Davis
We had good days working for the City of Clearwater.
Rita Garvey
Former Mayor
I had the distinct pleasure and honor of meeting this wonderful man when he visited Virginia to attend his grandson’s high school graduation. He was an amazing man, and he loved The Lord Jesus Christ with all his heart. He was one of the nicest people I have met in years, and I will miss him. Rest in peace, my dear friend, for you are now rejoicing with Jesus and the heavenly angels.
Words can not express how deeply sadden I am to hear of Bill’s passing. He, Barbara, and Laura have always been near and dear to my heart and my thoughts are with them all during this difficult time. Life takes us on many different paths, but the one of true friendships of the heart last forever, not to ever be forgotten or broken. Bill, you will be missed. Heaven has certainly received a great blessing, though are hearts are heavy. You will never be forgotten my dear friend.
We will miss you till we see you again at home in Heaven! Bill you were the best Sunday School teacher we ever had!!! Love you Bill and Barb.
As a resident of Safety Harbor, I am so grateful for Bill Baker for getting many of the city projects completed,with his sense of humor and great knowledge, he will be missed!
Our Bill will be greatly missed. Always at our holiday gatherings and special occasions he was always entertaining. A beloved Brother-in-law and friend, we will miss you.
Dear Barbara we are so sorry for the loss Bill but we know he is with our Lord and Savior. We are praying that God will give for you and your family peace and comfort through this difficult time
Dear Barbara we are so sorry for the loss Bill but,we know he is with our Lord and Savior. We are praying that God will give for you and your family peace and comfort through this difficult time.With Love in Jesus Christ
To the family of Bill Baker,
I was out of state and just learned of Mr. Baker’s passing. I’ve worked with Bill at Safety Harbor for many years and will miss hearing his cheerful Good Morning! Bill will be sadly missed. He was a good man, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
Karen Sammons
City Clerk
City of Safety Harbor
No words can truly describe my love for Bill. He was the best step-father anyone could ever have. He treated me as if I was his own. I will miss him terribly and no one could ever replace him. I love you Bill! I hope you are eating plenty of banana pudding with Ma Ruby, Uncle Douglas and Aunt Judy and singing up a storm. I can’t wait for the day that we will all join you in heaven. I love you!
Love: your other daughter, Laura
So sorry to hear that Bill had left us, but I KNOW
that he would not trade places with any of us now.
He is in his Eternal home with his Loving Savior and many of his earthly friends.
But Barbara, I know there is a real empty spot in
your heart right now, and I pray that God’s Peace
will continue to be your constant companion.
My love and prayers for you and family.
Bonnie
I am so sorry to hear about Bill. He was a great guy.
Barbara, I was so very sorry to learn of Bill’s death. I was out of town the weekend of his service otherwise I would have attended. Al always had such respect for Bill. I hope and pray that they have now reunited as best friends in Heaven. My prayers go out to you and your family.
Conni Galbraith