Obituary of Reverend William A. Baker

Reverend William Arnold Baker, age 89, of the Peniel Community of Skipperville, died Friday morning, May 15, 2009. Funeral services will be 2:00 P. M. Sunday, May 17, 2009, from Spring Hill Baptist Church with Reverend Bill Hassell and Reverend Max Todd officiating. Interment will follow in Peniel Baptist Church Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00 P. M. until 6:00 P. M. Saturday afternoon. Reverend Baker was born April 15, 1920 in Skipperville, Alabama to the late William Hasty Baker and Ella Florence Arnold Baker. Reverend Baker accepted the Lord as a young person and later accepted the calling to preach, serving in the gospel ministry for 48 years. He worked his way through Howard College (now Samford University) working a full time job, coming home on weekends and preaching. He came to Blue Springs in the late 1950's to teach school and was the sponsor of the senior class. In 1960 he was elected to the Executive Committee of the Dale Baptist Association, serving the following churches Peniel Baptist Church for fifteen years, Salem Baptist Church for six years, Concord Congregational Methodist Church for five years, and also Mount Pisgah Baptist Church. He retired from teaching at Carroll High School after 23 years in 1982, and enjoyed his hobbies of farming and raising cows. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Myrtle Payne Baker of Skipperville; one son and daughter-in-law, Rhett and Sue Baker of Skipperville; four grandchildren, Sherrie and Al Davis, Dawn and Tim Hammond, Scott and Delilah Baker, Jesse and Cori Baker all of Skipperville; one brother, Robert Baker of Abbeville. Thirteen great grandchildren also survive. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made