William Emmett Baker

William Emmett Baker was born March 11, 1955 on the Ashiya United States Air Force base in Kyushu, Japan to parents Hugh Baker Sr. and Gloria O’Sheridan Baker. He was one of five siblings; Hugh Baker, Jr. (Mutt), Lynn Christensen, Maureen O’Neal, and Rebecca Britt. When he and his family returned to Memphis, TN, Emmett attended and graduated from Bartlett High School in 1973 after which he attended Memphis State University. Because he was so very proud of his Alma Mater he was a lifelong Tigers fan. He was blessed with his son, Joseph Benjamin Baker, in May of 1984. By 1987 he was a salesman for Diamond Standard Parts Sales and Warehouse Manager. Over the course of his career, he worked in Memphis, Tennessee; Dallas, Texas; and Scranton, Pennsylvania where he retired in 2017. After retirement, he returned to Memphis. Not only was he a dedicated employee, he was a skilled carpenter. When family or friends needed help or advice, he was happy to break out the toolbelt and do what he could. He also handled most of his own handyman jobs around his house. He was also a lifelong athlete. As a child he was a talented baseball player, in adulthood he enjoyed tennis, and in his later years he truly enjoyed golf. In April of 2020, he gained a daughter in Shannon Walton Baker. Emmett was also blessed with all his nieces and nephews; Ashley and Zak Christensen, Brooke and Blaire O’Neal, and Andrew Langley and Shelby Britt.

One of his greatest loves was music. He knew more about the Beatles than possibly anyone else, having read, watched, and listened to every book, movie, and record by and about them over the years. Emmett also attended all the best concerts at the Coliseum, The Antenna Club, and other venues across Memphis. The stories he shared of these experiences werealways entertaining.

When Emmett returned to Memphis after retiring, he and Joseph could be overheard talking about the Tigers latest game, basketball or football, the next Beatles box set to be released, the next trip to Central BBQ for ribs and pulled pork or when they could next make it to the links for some golf. The last time they got to golf together, Joseph lost his ball in the tree line at Hole 3. He went to retrieve it and bolted out of the trees back to Emmett. When Emmett asked what he saw, Joseph exclaimed, “there was a copperhead by my ball! I’ll get a new one.” With his limited time here, Emmett lived his life by the virtues of hard work, integrity, and loyalty. He left us far too soon, but his memory lives on in those that knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the University of Memphis Tigers College Fund.

A visitation for William will be held Friday, July 7, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at 4924 - Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133. Following the visitation will be a graveside service from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Baker family.