Willie Baker

William "Willie" Baker, 65, of Grants Pass died Sept. 1, 2008, at his home. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at River Valley Community Church. He was born June 25, 1943, in Dawson, N.M., to Stanley and Eufella Baker. He worked as a painter in California for more than 28 years and retired in 1999. In 1983, in Reno, he married Colleen Kelly, who survives. They moved to Grants Pass in 2001 from Pacifica, Calif. He was a member of the Bay Area Painters and Tapers Union. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, gardening, camping, spending time outdoors, and his family and friends. In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Mark Baker of Pacifica, Calif.; a daughter, Nichole Fierra of Aptos, Calif.; a sister, Patricia Stenstrom of San Jose, Calif.; three brothers, George Baker of Danville, Calif., Tony Baker of Dobbins, Calif., and Richard Baker of Pacifica, Calif.; and five grandchildren. A daughter, Christi Baker, died before him.