William “Bill” Baker, Jr., of Franklin passed away on October 29, 2014 at 2:30 pm in UPMC-Northwest in Seneca.

Bill was born August 3rd, 1926 in Franklin, the first son of William (Bert) Baker and Mabel I. (Wilt) Baker. The family moved to South Penn Road, Bully Hill and resided there until the passing of Bert in 1983.
Bill attended school at Graham School and Franklin High School. He served in the Army from 1944-1948, being stationed in Japan and the Phillipines. While in school he worked at Isalys. He later worked at Joy, Manifold, Franklin Steel, and O’Polkas’ Cafe. He retired in 1985 from Polk Center after 32 years, where he worked as a night shift building Supervisor.

Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, archery, and pitching horseshoes with his Dad and brother. In his younger years, he pitched ball for the Hayrake League and belonged to several bowling and golf leagues. He most enjoyed golfing at many different courses, and making frequent trips to Myrtle Beach with his ‘Golfin Buddies’. Later on, Bill enjoyed watching Pirates, Steelers, and Golf Tournaments on TV, and reading — especially books on sports that he received as gifts from his stepson, Mike. Bill enjoyed working side by side with the love of his life and his constant companion, his wife, the former Ruth E. Cathers. They were married November 29th, 1958 in the parsonage of the former First Evangelical United Brethren Church by the Dr. B. E. Coleman, and she survives.

After retirement, Bill enjoyed gardening and helping Ruth canning and freezing the produce. He enjoyed outside work — maintaining his yard and planting flowers and shrubs and taking ‘day trips’ with his wife. Bill looked forward to visits from his stepson Michael D. Cathers and his family.

In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his stepson, Michael D. Cathers and his wife, Carolyn, and their son, Nicholas; his granddaughters, Samantha Lynn (Cathers) Cassidy, and her husband, Shane, and their son, Silas Connor Cassidy, and a great-granddaughter to be born in February, all of Delmar, New York; Allison M. Cathers of Slingerlands, New York and the girls Mother — Gloria Jean and her husband, David LaPlant, of Selkirk, New York. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins. Bill was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Betty Jane Baker DeWoody Sargent, and his brother, Joseph Baker.

At Bills request there will be no viewing or services — cremains will be interred at Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are entrusted to Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 131 5 Chestnut Street, Franklin.

Any memorials if desired could be directed to a charity of ones choice or to Heart-Lung-Cancer Societies.

To send cards, online condolences, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.