William Howard Baker

William 'Bill' Howard Baker July 5, 1931 - April 8, 2007 Independence - William was born in July 5, 1931, in Ashland, Wisconsin to Charles and Grace Baker. His family moved to Monmouth, Oregon in 1943 while Bill's oldest brother, Robert Baker was stationed at Camp Adair. Bill's father felt that mowing lawns sounded more appealing than shoveling snow. Bill attended school in Monmouth and was a member of the last graduation class of Monmouth High School in 1950. Bill faithfully attended all the class reunions that are held annually. Bill's working career started when he was a young teenager working part time until high school graduation in the Monmouth Market owned by Bill Lessard and later owned by Carl Fischer. In 1951 he went to work for 'Bob' Morgan at the M & F Store in Independence. In 1956 he moved to Toledo, Oregon to manage the meat market in a new IGA market owned by Claude Hall. In 1973 he bought Independence Meats which was a Federally regulated slaughter house and meat processing plant. He operated this plant until 1977 at which time he sold it Lloyd Wright. From 1980 through 1983 he operated a small meat market called Baker's Butcher Block in Old Town Independence which was located where the former Amador's Alley restaurant was located. Up until 1990 Bill worked at the Craftsman Corner a former lumber business in south Independence, and as a meat cutter for Moothart's Market. Bill has given service to his community over the years by serving twenty-one years as a volunteer fireman on the Monmouth and Independence fire departments. He was a member of the Heritage Museum, serving as a board member for several years. He was a charter member of the Independence Elks Lodge. He served a term on their board of directors and for many years enjoyed working on their Christmas Food Basket program. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, and in his later retirement years entered his second childhood with his model train collection. The highlight of his 75th birthday was the honor of throwing out the "Ceremonial First Pitch" at a Padres/Mariners game at Petco Stadium in San Diego in June of 2006. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Charles Baker; brother, Robert C. Baker; sisters, Mary Strick and Frances Perrero. He is survived by his wife of nearly forty years, Marion; brother, George Baker of Saxon, Wisconsin; sister, Anna Mae Olson of Corvallis, Oregon; daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Eric Tibbetts, and Karen and John Kennedy; step-son, Garry Potterf of Independence, Oregon; granddaughters, Allison of Middlebury, Vermont, Lynley Stinson of Gillette, Wyoming; grandson, Samuel Kennedy of Gillette, Wyoming; as well as many nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 13 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Independence. Luncheon reception to follow at the church. Inurnment will be private at Fircrest Cemetery in Monmouth. Contributions in Bill's memory may be made to Independence Fire District No. 1, Heritage Museum of Independence, St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Independence, or the Casey Eye Clinic in care of The Elks Lodge. Arrangements entrusted to Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence. Bill will be remembered as an icon of his community, leaving many memories.