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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF MAJOR WILLIAM LUIN BAKER, JR., OF MULLINS AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Major William Luin Baker, Jr., U.S.A.F. (Ret.), of Mullins, on March 5, 2020, at the venerable age of eighty-seven; and
Whereas, born in Southern Pines, North Carolina, on May 4, 1932, to the late William and Laura Baker, he was an accomplished student-athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball in high school, winning state championships. He played in the 1950 East-West All-Star football game and earned a scholarship to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he lettered in football; and
Whereas, he graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1954, with a bachelor's degree in education, and then was employed as a teacher and coached football and basketball in the town of Shallotte, North Carolina. While there, he met his future wife, Flora (Flo) Collins of Mullins. They fell in love and developed a deep and abiding affection for the Brunswick County beaches and the students they taught; and
Whereas, in 1955, William Baker was called to active duty as an officer by the United States Air Force. He and Flo were married on September 2, 1956. They later returned to Chapel Hill, where he earned a master's degree in education and supervision and was also on the coaching staff of the football team; and
Whereas, he was once again called to active duty from 1962 to 1980, serving as a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Officer in the Air Force. In 1968, he was named the Air Force's Most Outstanding Special Services Officer for all of Europe (USAFE); and
Whereas, after returning to the United States in 1972 to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, he was named the best MWR Officer in Tactical Air Command for the continental United States. In all, he served twenty-two years in the Air Force; and
Whereas, while serving his country, William Baker and his wife raised two sons, and the family was stationed at a number of bases over his career, two of the more memorable being in England at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Upper Heyford; and
Whereas, Major Baker retired from the Air Force in 1980, moving to Wilmington, N.C., where he was the Air Force Junior ROTC Instructor at Laney High School for fifteen years; and
Whereas, in 1995, he and Flo moved to Mullins to restore and live in her childhood home. A man of faith, he was a member of Mullins First Baptist Church and the Men's Bible Class; and
Whereas, left to cherish his memory are his wife, Flo, of sixty-three years; his two sons, Norris Collins Baker (Beth) and William Scott Baker (Susan); six grandchildren: Elijah (Jaala) Baker, Risa Baker (Dylan) Sloop, Brandon Baker, Regan (Cody) Baker, Ezra Baker, and Amos Luin Baker; a great grandson, Beckett Michael Lefler; and other relatives and friends. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Major William Luin Baker, Jr., of Mullins and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Baker family.
This web page was last updated on March 11, 2020 at 10:38 AM