William C. "Bill" Baker, 66, of Sparta, passed away Aug. 2, 2022, three days before his birthday, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, after a brief illness.
Bill was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer in mid-June and left this earth for his heavenly home exactly one-and-a-half months later.
He was born Aug. 5, 1955, in Sparta, to William Thomas Baker and Lorene Blaylock Baker. He was also blessed to have a very special aunt and uncle, Claude and Ruth Gilmore, who helped raise him. He had a special love of dirt bikes, deer hunting, four-wheel-drive trucks, and going on jeep rides in the woods with family and friends. His three granddaughters were the apple of his eye and always made him smile. He also loved his Friday night "ride arounds" with special friends Buddy Knowles and James Jones.
Along with his parents and special aunt and uncle, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Joyce Ann Baker Cruise and Shirley Willene Baker.
He is survived by his wife, Rita Myers Baker; daughter, Carrie Baker Day and husband Frankie; son, William Matthew Baker and girlfriend Chazlynn Hood; granddaughters, Sarah Robbins, Celisity Bradley, Kaylen Day; brothers, Bob Baker and wife Louise, Deland Baker and wife Ann; cousin/sister, Ann Gilmore Golden and husband Mike; stepmother, Paula Baker; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Aug. 6, 2022, at Hunter Funeral home, with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Bro. David Copeland will officiate. The family will receive friends 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Aug. 6, at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be James Jones, Darrell Simmons, Michael Simmons, John Raper, Billy Gilbert, and Michael Austin.
In lieu of flowers, the Baker family wishes donations be made to Hunter Funeral Home, P.O. Box 90, Sparta, Tennessee 38583, to help with funeral expenses.
Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
