Lieutenant Colonel William Aloysious Baker (US ARMY RET)

Bill “Sonnyboy”, was born on January 27, 1936, in Newport, Maryland to William Marshall and Mamie Rebecca Bowman Baker. Bill was the oldest of 12 children.

In 1959, he graduated from Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. In 1976, he earned his Master’s in Business Management from Troy State University. In 1979 he earned a Master’s in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. After graduating from Morgan State University, Bill began his decorated career in the United States Army. For the next 20 years, he would serve his country proudly in various capacities retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his service in the Vietnam War he was awarded; 2 Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Combat Infantry and Parachutist Badge. After retirement, he began his second career with Michelin as a Production Manager. In 1961, Bill married the love his of his life, Blanche Agnes Washington. Together they traveled the world and his military career allowed them to reside in various places to include Augusta, Georgia; Frankfurt, Germany; Louisville, Kentucky, and they finally settled in Irmo, South Carolina. Their marriage blossomed for 60 years.

Bill loved sports, and whether coaching or officiating football, basketball, soccer, or wrestling; you could always find him on a field, court, or mat. Bill was a faithful member of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church where he was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He was a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Optimist International, AARP, VFW, American Legion, and Toastmasters International where he was the recipient of a CTM Award in 1987. He was also a member of South Carolina Sports Officials Association, and the American Management Association.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by a sister, Ann Whalen and three brothers-in-law, Joseph Whalen, Herman Duckett and Joseph Bankins.

Those left to cherish his memory, include; his wife Blanche Agnes Washington Baker, a son, William Anthony “Tony” (Nicole) Baker, grandsons, Landon Baker and Tranham Woodard, Jr, and siblings, Agnes Watson, Gladys Duckett, Clara Holly, Alice Bankins, Ernest Baker (Ann), Bernice Dunn, Bernadette Hawley (Leonard), Mary Medley (Charles) Janice Spears (James) and Corrine Smallwood (Thomas).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:15 pm Wednesday December 1, 2021, at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at 1:15 p.m. prior to the service with a repast to follow the service. Burial featuring full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Operation Hope.