Paul Wayne Baker

Wayne was born on June 24, 1948, in Tuscaloosa, to Mildred F. (McAteer) and Paul C. Baker. He graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School in 1965 and joined the military shortly thereafter in 1966.

He served 1 year in the Navy; then transferred to the United States Air Force where he spent the next 26 years serving his country maintaining and repairing the F-15 Eagle and retiring as a Tactical Aircraft Superintendent in May 1992. His service included two tours in Vietnam (1968–1970, 1971-1973), where he earned numerous medals and commendations including Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Service Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with One Bronze Service Star, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal just to name a few. Later, he was subject to recall to active duty by the Secretary of the Air Force and served from August 1990 to December 1991 in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm.

After retiring from the US Air Force, Wayne settled in Northport, Alabama. He traveled from Northport to Columbus AFB where he worked as an aircraft mechanic for several defense contractors for another 17 years and spent his remaining time reading his library of books, enjoying Alabama football, and driving “Little Red” 2.0, his pick-up truck.

He married Peggy Ann Doyle on June 11, 1967, in Beaumont, Texas, and she was his partner through 14 moves, three continents, and 59 years of marriage.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy; his children, Ruth Ann Speirs of Northport, Alabama, Sharon Rose Shaffer and husband, Teddy Shaffer of Dallas, Texas, and Timothy Paul Baker of Northport, Alabama; his seven grandchildren, Alan, Willis, Daniel, Shannon, Joshua, Paul, & Will; his great grandchildren, Lazarus, Elora and Baby Boy Speirs due in January 2027; and his sisters, Brenda Freeman (married to Jerome Freeman) and Linda Bullard. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Earl Bullard.

Graveside service with military honors will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at Sunset Funeral Home, 3802 Watermelon Road, Northport, Alabama 35473 at 11:00am. Visitation is from 10:00am to 11:00am.