William Lyle Baker

He was born on December 2, 1950, in Florence, SC to Lyle A. and Regina G. Baker. From Florence the family moved to Winter Haven, FL, and then to Charlotte in 1961. Bill’s favorite childhood activities were baseball and fishing. Later in life he took up golf and pool. Whatever he did, he practiced and practiced because he wanted to be the best.

Bill began his work career at age sixteen in the produce department at Harris Teeter. After graduating from Myers Park High School in 1969, he worked for a swimming pool company and then Roebuck Buildings Company, where he learned everything he could about constructing steel buildings. He began his own steel building company, Baker Construction, in 1975. Bill loved running the crew, but needed help running the office. So he brought his brother, Bob in as partner to handle that end. The company was very successful until the downturn in the economy in 2008. It closed soon after.

In his youth Bill had been quite the adventurous type. He raced and jumped motorcycles, raced sports cars and had a few car wrecks, none of which were his fault. His accidents resulted in many broken bones. After a scan one doctor asked him if he had ever been blown up! Because of these accidents Bill suffered greatly from pain in his later years.

Bill is survived by his sister, Ann B. Perkins (husband Joe), brother Bob Baker, niece Jennifer Kranz (husband Troy), grand nephews Elliot and Westley Kranz, and many friends who were like family to him. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date.

To honor Bill, take a kid to a ballgame, fishing, or teach him to play golf. Bill would love that.