William James Baker, Jr.

William James Baker, Jr., originally of Corbin, KY, but most recently of Clarksville, died Sunday, February 26, 2006 at MeadowView Terrace Nursing Home. He was 83. Survivors are wife, Beth Boyd Baker; children and their spouses, Bill & Melba C. Baker, III ; and Elizabeth B. and Col. Harold Richard Gielow, all of Clarksville. Grandchildren are Emily and Mary Beth Baker; Charles, William, and the late Harold Gielow, Jr. The beloved extended family includes Mr. & Mrs. O.B. Boyd, Mr. & Mrs. R. R. Boyd, Mrs. Mary Anne Otettinger, and Mrs. Joan Easley, plus adored nieces and nephews. Mr. Baker graduated from Vanderbilt's George Peabody?s School of Education. As a US Navy veteran in the Pacific Arena, Bill served honorably and acquired many useful skills. Following WWII, Bill and Beth met at Union College in Kentucky where they married. He served as Vice Principal at Remington High School and Annandale High School. For 13 years, he was a civil servant employed with the U.S. Navy in the Pentagon. Following his time in the Pentagon, Mr. Baker served as Principal at Bluestone High School. Passionate about Beth?s home county of Mecklenburg and her ancestral homes, Oakley and Aegypt, Bill and Beth moved here in 1973. He cherished Mecklenburg County and its residents. Most dear to his heart was the Ephesus UMC Community and Pastor Pat Nielsen. The family will receive friends 5-8PM Monday at Oakley, the home of Bill and Melba. Services officiated by Pastor Neilson are at Ephesus, 11 AM Tuesday. Fellowship will follow at Aegypt, home of Harold and Elizabeth Gielow. Memorial contributions are invited by Ephesus Church, 2612 West Orgainsville Road, Clarksville, VA 23927 and/or The Gideon Society P.O. Box 934 Clarksville, VA 23927. You may express your condolences at www.wclfh.com. Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home is in charge of arrangement.