William W Baker

William W. Baker March 8, 2015 William W. "Bill" Baker, 85, of Fredonia, N.Y. died Friday, March 6, 2015, at the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo. Bill was born in Franklin, PA on November 15, 1929 to the late Lewis C. and Isabel A. (Dempsey) Baker. Bill graduated from Franklin High School, Franklin PA in 1947. After graduation from high school, he worked for the News-Herald (proofreader) in Franklin, PA and United National Gas Co. (National Fuel) in the accounting department. Bill graduated from Grove City College 1958 and the University of Buffalo 1967. He married Joan B. Smith June 10, 1955 in Franklin, PA. She passed away January 20 of this year. Bill was a US Army Veteran during the Korean War, 1951-1953, having served at Fort Bragg, N.C. In the fall of 1958 Bill and Joan moved to Fredonia, N.Y. where Bill began his teaching career at Fredonia High School. He was a social studies teacher at Fredonia High School from 1958 until his retirement in 1985. After retirement from teaching in 1985, Bill worked in the field of financial services selling insurance and securities. A longtime member of the Laona United Methodist Church, Bill held many positions at the Church including: treasurer, chairman of finance committee, administrative council chairman, lay delegate to annual conference, chair, pastor/parish relations committee, choir member and Sunday school teacher. He was a member of WCA Home board of directors for many years, board member and past president of the Fredonia Central School Federal Credit Union, and past president of the Fredonia Teachers Association. Bill is survived by his son, Brent W. Baker of Silver Creek and his daughter, Julie L. (Daniel) Alley of Tuscola TX, two grandsons, Thomas Alley and Henry Alley, and one granddaughter, Hannah Alley, all of Tuscola, Texas. He is also survived by two nieces, Janis Mays and Linda Hogue; and a nephew Robert Kinnear. Besides his parents, Bill is predeceased of two sisters, Anna Belle (Baker) Kinnear and Lois M. (Baker) Johnston. Calls may be made Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY. Funeral Services will be held at the Laona United Methodist Church, 9636 Wilson Road, Laona, NY, Tuesday at 11 a.m. Interment with Military Honors at Forest Hill Cemetery will follow the funeral service. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Laona United Methodist Church Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler.