William S. Baker, Jr.

William S. Baker, Jr.
Greenville, SC

William Samford Baker, Jr. passed from this life on October 21, 2011.

Born in Macon, GA on June 3, 1925, Mr. Baker was the son of the late William Samford Baker and Nadine Calloway Baker.

Surviving are his wife of sixty years, Nancy Ballentine Baker, his daughter Joyce Elizabeth Baker and son William Samford Baker III and wife Amy; grandchildren, Robert Baker Frazer, Elizabeth Ballentine Frazer, William Samford Baker IV, and Laura Brock Baker. He was predeceased by two sisters, Nadine Downs and Georgiann King.

A 1947 graduate of Clemson College, Mr. Baker was an avid Clemson fan, having served as President of the Greenville Alumni and Iptay Association for two years during the tenure of Coach Frank Howard. While at Clemson, Mr. Baker was a member of the National Society of Perishing Rifles, the Tiger Platoon, and the Sigma Epsilon Fraternity.

Following service in the Air Force during World War II, Mr. Baker was President of Baker Motor Company, served as President of the Greenville Automobile Association and was a member of Chrysler's National Advertising Committee. He was later employed as General Manager of The Cline Company.

Mr. Baker was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Greenville Country Club, and the Commerce Club.

An active member of Buncombe Street United Methodist Church, Mr. Baker served as Chair of the Administrative Board, Council on Ministries, Membership and Evangelism Committee and President of the John M. Holmes Bible Class.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Dr. Courson Cunningham and his Medical Assistant Terry Titus, Dr. Peter Maurides, caregivers Bruce Miller, Shannon Brooks, the staff of Hospice Care of South Carolina, and many friends and relatives for their individual acts of kindness.

A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Buncombe Street United Methodist Church with visitation at the church from 1:15 p.m. until the hour of service. Rev. Jerry Temple and Rev. Grover Putnam will officiate. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 4124 Clemson Boulevard, Suite L, Anderson, SC 29621, or to the charity of one's choice.

The Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive