William Fred Baker, 76, of Dexter, Missouri, left for the big golf game in the sky on Thursday, January 22, 2015. He was born on March 4, 1938 to Gervis and Ethel Kirby Baker in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. “Billy Fred” was loved dearly by his parents, as he was their only child.
His father, an Engineer, was charged with building nuclear plants for the DuPont Company, as a result, Billy Fred attended a different high school each year but still managed to win a State Championship in football at each individual high school. In addition he played basketball and baseball. He graduated from Montague High School in Michigan. He attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship, where he played with teammate Bubba Smith. He transferred to Central Michigan where he became “Biff” after the coach accidentally wrote “Biff Baker” on the stat board in the locker room for the character, Biff Baker, played by Alan Hale Jr. (better known as the skipper on Gillian’s Island) a popular TV crime detective. His dad loved the reference and the name Biff stuck. At Central Michigan, he went on to win a National Football Championship. Biff was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, ROTC, and achieved both his Masters and PHD in Biology.
After college his service in the Air Force took him to desert of Libya South Africa. When he left Libya he sold some of his belongings to a young Muammar Gaddafi. He then went to the Aerospace Medical Health Center in San Antonio, Texas where he shook the hand of President John F. Kennedy only the day before the president was assassinated. At the Aerospace Center we worked in the Dental program with Sam the Chimpanzee. Sam, named for the acronym for School of Aerospace Medicine was sent into space on the Mercury mission.
Biff found his true love in his wife, Jeannie Baker. On their first date they went dancing, as they jitter bugged around the floor, they looked at each other and said, “It feels like we have been doing this together our whole lives” and they would. Partners for life, they were most happy together. They enjoyed tennis, golf, boating, vacations, dancing, entertaining, and just spending time together. They were peas in a pod. Biff, who loved is mother with his whole heart, paid Jeannie his biggest compliment many times as he said ”my Mom would have loved you as much as I do”, even though the two would never have the opportunity to meet. Biff and Jeannie continued dancing to the end, some 40 years later.
“Coach Baker” worked as a teacher and football coach in Pattonville, and would later retire as a medical salesman for American McGaw maker of IV pumps.
“Buffalo”, as he was known on the golf course because of his big strong legs, was an excellent golfer. You could find him playing most every day with his friends or his wife. He was part of many golf groups including the 5 B’s: Benny Bill, Breman, Bill & Biff who played together for several decades. He enjoyed many golf trips. Kevin & Terry were the lucky ones as Sedmo or Wiggy always drew the short straw and had to room with the ever snoring "Buffalo".
In the winter, “Buffy” or “Buff” loved to duck hunt. He hunted with many through the years but none more loved than his Demaree family: Doc, Derek, Dax, & Dillon, who will place his ashes in the duck blind. They have graciously renamed the "Lost 80" to “The Buffalo Pit!” He will finally have a duck blind to call his own.
“Sweet William” was lucky not only at love, but with cards as well, Blackjack in particular. Sweet William had friends at every casino in a multi-state area and he and his pals were regulars every Friday.
“Pop” as he was known to his granddaughters Hannah and Sophia, daughter, Lora, and son-in-law Rich, all of Quincy, Illinois, loved his family. Though they lived hundreds of miles apart you would never know it by his participation in their lives. He was seen at every major and minor happening.
As a dad, Biff could be counted on for words of wisdom, “If you run with dogs, you’re going to get fleas” “If you’re going to Hoot with the Owls you’d better be able to get up and soar with the Eagles” He had a saying for everything. He spoiled his only daughter.
He was a Kentucky Wildcat Basketball fan, thru and thru. A Dexter Bearcat fan and an adopted Quincy Notre Dame Raider fan. He never met a ballgame of any sort he didn’t like. He was a member of the Methodist Church and a member of the Masons. He was looking forward to adding “Paw Paw” to his list of names to baby Demaree.
He shared his roses, his jokes, and his smile with many including the ladies at the library. Biff loved to read and in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Keller Public Library, 402 W. Grant, Dexter, MO 63841 in his honor.
He is survived by his wife, Jeannie Baker, his daughter, Lora Baker Marcolla, and son-in-law, Rich, granddaughters Hannah & Sophia. He has two sons, Matt Baker and Chris Baker. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He will be cremated and a memorial plaque will be placed at the Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
A celebration of his life will take place in the spring at his home. Everyone will be welcome to come and share in our love of Biff, Buff, Buffy, Sweet William, Pop, Billy Fred, Coach and Paw Paw.
They say...
Good men must die, but death cannot kill their names... ~Proverb
