Bake was born on November 9, 1932, in Harrisonburg and was the son of the late H. B. “Bake” Layman, Sr. and Mildred Coffman Layman.
Bake graduated from Harrisonburg High School and from Strayer University in Washington, D.C., in 1953.
In 1953, he volunteered for the draft during the Korean War and served two years in the United States Army. While serving, he married Janice “Jan” Whitmer Layman, who survives. They were married on February 13, 1954. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Martha Layman Heishman, on September 17, 1995.
Surviving are his four children: Charles “Chuck” Layman and wife Debbie Layman of Harrisonburg; Pamela “Pam” Layman of McGaheysville; Richard “Rick” Layman of McGaheysville; and Vicki Layman Shuff and husband Edward Shuff of Elkton. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Rachel, Adam, David, and Anna Layman; and Chloe, Jordan, and Zachary Shuff.
After his discharge from the Army in 1955, Bake was employed by the Willet & Bosserman CPA firm. In 1959, he became an officer and stockholder of Hartmans, Inc., and several years later, he became an officer and stockholder of Truck Enterprises, Inc. In 1969, he left Truck Enterprises, Inc. and joined M. A. Layman & Sons, Inc. as an officer and stockholder. In 1980, he sold that business and retired. During the 1960s and 1970s, he partnered with H. G. Texiere in Texiere & Layman, which operated Doc’s Tea Room on South Main Street and Triage Laundromat on Chicago Avenue. They also owned and rented residential real estate.
He was also in partnership with his father, named H & B Realty Co., which built and rented a number of apartments in Harrisonburg. In partnership with his wife, Jan, through B & J Builders of Penn Laird, they built residential houses and duplexes and rented duplexes and apartments in Verona, Harrisonburg, and Rockingham County.
Bake was a member of Harrisonburg Elks Lodge 450, the Fraternal Order of Eagles 4150, and Asbury United Methodist Church.
Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. The family will hold a private graveside burial and service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyfuneralhomes.com.
