William "Bill" Sasser Baker

William Sasser “Bill” Baker, 77, of Spencer passed away Monday, November 5, 2012 at the NC State Veterans Nursing Home. Born April 10, 1935 in Johnston County, NC, he was the son of the late Sadie Sasser Baker Brown and Delton Edward Baker. He graduated from Spencer High School, Winston-Salem Barber School and attended Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, He was a veteran of the US Air Force serving four years. Mr. Baker worked as a barber for 13 years and with Hoechst Celanese for 25 years before retiring in 1997. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Spencer where he served as a Deacon, served on the Board of Trustees and was a former Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Director. He was a member of the Spencer Optimist Club, Spencer Moose Lodge #2019, Past President of the Spencer Jaycees, a retired volunteer with the Spencer Fire Department, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and served with the North Rowan High School Booster Club. He was preceded in death by his step-father, Joel Brown in 1967, brother, James Walter Baker in 2001; sister, Gaynelle Baker in 1933, step-sister, Marquette Brown Whitley in 1996. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Patricia “Pat” Ann Short Baker; sons, Joel Porter “Jay” Baker and wife Kelly of Spencer, Stacy Baker and wife Traci of Salisbury; daughter, Sarah Baker Thompson and husband Ronnie of Salisbury; sister-in-law, Carolyn Thornton Baker of Spencer; 4 grandchildren, Thomas Baker of Spencer, Samantha Baker and Josh Baker of Salisbury, and Ben King of Spencer. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM – Thursday (Nov. 8) at the First Baptist Church of Spencer with the Rev. Franklin Myers, officiating. Mr. Baker will lie in state 30 minutes before the service. Entombment will follow at Rowan Memorial Park with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the Rowan County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 PM – Wednesday at the Summersett Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the residence of Sarah and Ronnie Thompson. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Spencer, 215 Fifth Street, Spencer, NC 28159 Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Baker family. Online condolences may be made to www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

William "Bill" Sasser Baker

April 10, 1935 - November 5, 2012