William Wallace Baldwin

William Wallace Baldwin was born in San Pedro, Ca, the 4th child born to Wallace and Edith Baldwin, and spent his childhood on the family farm in the rural Merced County town of El Nido, Calif. Bill grew up working the farm with his brothers and sisters, learning valuable skills that he would later apply to a managerial position with Borden’s Dairy, and would often incorporate into the many family homes that he helped to construct.

Bill played the saxophone at Merced High School, and it was there that he met the love of his life Merilyn Hurd. They were wed on Valentine’s Day in 1943, and recently celebrated 77 years together. Bill was very talented with his hands, and by a young age had learned to repair and build almost anything. Early in their marriage, the Merced Falls Lumber Company was offering houses to anyone who would move them. Bill and his father dismantled one of the houses, wall by wall, poured a new foundation, and then put the house back together. This early simple home was to become the first of many!

Bill and Merilyn raised six children; Rick (Anne) Baldwin, Susan Moon, Pamela (Clyde) Klaumann, Jim (Maureen) Baldwin, Rod (Linda) Baldwin, and Kathleen Hutter. They were blessed with 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Together they taught their family to show love and respect, and never missed a chance to share kisses with their beautiful babies.

Early family trips included wonderful summer vacations at Camp Richardson in South Lake Tahoe with lots of boating fun. Bill loved to gamble, too, and was always ready to try his luck. Bill managed the Borden’s Dairy in Merced, Calif where his family first met Elsie the cow. In 1957, he was transferred to Borden’s in Carmel, during a time when home milk delivery was still very popular. From Carmel, the family headed north to San Jose, where Bill opened a pie shop and later worked for Sears.

Bill and Merilyn spent their early retirement years in Sonora, where Bill helped to construct three homes. From there it was back to Merced for several years before finally returning to the Monterey Peninsula where Bill spent his last year at the Carmel Hills Care Center.

Bill was always very social and friendly; he never knew a stranger, only a new friend. His family would often describe him as having a gypsy heart, as he was always looking for the next adventure in life. He loved to drive, and his famous “shortcuts” would always make family vacations and adventures all the more memorable. Bill was a proud Mason for 50 years.

Due to the current Covid-19 conditions, a gathering to honor Bill will be taking place at a later date.