Willard W. Baker viewing is Monday night; Funeral is Tuesday morning

Willard Wilson Baker, 73, of Lehigh Acres, died Wednesday, Sept. 22 at Kindred Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., of a heart attack following a long illness. He has been hospitalized since April. He had been transferred to Tampa General Hospital from Lehigh Regional Medical Center and later was transferred to the hospital in St. Petersburg.

He was the son of the late John and Rebecca Flapp Baker of Pennsylvania. Baker attended Penn State University.

He was employed by Allegheny Steel Company in Brackenridge, Pa., and was an inspector in the production of stainless steel for several years. He retired due to a back injury in 1983. He and his wife, Doris Barcus Baker moved to Lehigh Acres in 1984.

Active in community affairs, Baker served on the East County Water District (ECWCD) board of commissioners for eight years.

He was member and served as an officer of the Lehigh Acres Kiwanis Club. He was a member of the Shriners Club and was a 32nd degree Mason. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge in Lehigh, the American Legion and the Lehigh Community Council. He was also a member of the Living Waters Church on Sunshine Blvd.

After moving to Lehigh, he volunteered his time helping to operate the Kiwanis Thrift Store on Homestead Rd.

He was one of the first members of the Lehigh Acres Community Planning Corp. (LACPC) and had served as both secretary and vice chairman. He was an advocate for Lehigh Acres in work with Lee County government to construct sidewalks in the community.

Baker also played Santa Claus at Christmas and helped to turn on the lights of the outside Christmas tree in front of Lehigh Regional Medical Center. He enjoyed playing Santa for his friends.

In addition to his parents, he is also predeceased by a daughter, Dora DeGarno.

Baker is survived by his wife, Doris Barcus Baker and three sons, Willard Baker Jr., and Dennis Baker, both of Lehigh; and Robert Baker of West Palm Beach; and one daughter, Bonnie Sue Shinn of Lehigh Acres; and seven grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Also surviving are two brothers, Homer Baker of Lehigh Acres, and Robert Baker of Gulf Breeze, Fla., and one sister, Anna Mae Psoutz of New Jersey, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Lee Memorial Park Funeral Home on SR 82 Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. A funeral will be held on Tuesday at the Lee Memorial Park Funeral Home at 10 a.m. with interment following in Lee Memorial Park Cemetery.

The Kiwanis Club of Lehigh Acres Foundation has established a scholarship in Willard Baker’s name. The family has requsted that in lieu of flowers that gifts be made to the Kiwanis scholarship. Those who want to contribute may send checks to the Willard Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund, The Kiwanis Club of Lehigh Acres Foundtaion, 15 Homestead Rd. S., Lehigh Acres, FL., 33936