William J Baker, Jr.

September 5, 1926 - December 15, 2012 William "Bill" Jasper Baker, Jr., of Sutter Creek, passed away Saturday, December 15, 2012, in Jackson, Calif. He was born in Oakland, Calif., on September 5, 1926, a son of the late Margaret (Sturgeon) and William Jasper Baker, Sr. Bill is survived by his wife, Judith Baker, of Sutter Creek; daughters, Margaret Dahlin (Don) of Ortig, Wash.; Debbie Deviney (Bob)of Bonney Lake, Wash.; sons, Bill Baker (Lyn) of Placerville, Calif.; Rex Baker of Mokelumne, Calif.; Marvin Baker (Shellie), of Rescue, Calif.; Judith's children; daughters, Susan Zavala (Jay) and Cheryl Steele (Mike) both of East Falmouth Mass.; Lynn Ann Patryka (Paul) of Sandwich Mass.; and son Patrick Libby (Sandie) of Merrimack, N.H.; Bill's sister Barbara Hallmeyer and brother, Jim Baker; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members. Bill graduated high school in Oakland, joining the U.S. Navy at age 17. He was aboard the ship USS Randall during WWII. Bill was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy after WWII, only to join the U.S. Army Air Corp, which became the U.S. Air Force, where he attended officer's candidate school and retired after 26 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1969. Bill was quite the entrepreneur. He started his own computer business, became a published author, an accomplished artist and world traveler. He also wrote stories about local people and history for the Ledger Dispatch. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Native Sons of the Golden West for both Sutter Creek and Jackson. Bill never met a stranger; he was very young at heart with childlike curiosity, which kept him interested in everything and everyone, and endeared him to many. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed. A private graveside service was held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, Calif. A celebration of life will be held at a later date to be determined. Contributions may be made to Elks National Foundation for Children, PO Box 292, Jackson, CA 95642.