William "Bill" Leroy Baker

Born July 5, 1937 in Pekin to William R. and Della (Taylor) Baker, he was raised by his grandparents, Emmanuel and Mary Taylor, he married Marlene Graham on September 13, 1959 in Green Valley.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years; one daughter, Kathi (Troy) Thomas of Pekin; his son-in-law, Wes Williams of Milton, Florida; four grandchildren, Karson Thomas of West Dundee, Keagan Thomas of Pekin, Stephanie (Dan) Smith of Peoria and Shelby (Shane) Hickam of East Peoria; four great-grandchildren, Jacob, Benjamin, Adelyn, Lyla; one niece, Charlene Devine of Fort Myers, Florida and one nephew, Gary (Susan) Presley of Dixon.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Kimberly Williams on May 22, 2015 and one sister, Judith Presley.

He was a 1956 graduate of Pekin Community High School and attended Bradley University in Peoria and later graduate from University of Illinois in Springfield.

Bill taught welding at Illinois Central College in East Peoria for 35-plus years before retiring in 2002. He was extremely proud of the Batman float he built in 1989 for the East Peoria Festival Lights Parade with the East Peoria High School trades class. The float is still being used to this date.

A loving and dedicated husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa, Bill was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He also enjoyed fishing, traveling and attending his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events.

Bill was a longtime member of St. Johns (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church in rural Green Valley. He had served as an Elder, Sunday School Superintendent, Teen’s for Christ Counselor, Chairman of Congregation and played on the Church’s dartball team for over 50 years. He also volunteered at Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Pekin.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2024 at St. Johns (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church in rural Green Valley. Pastor Chris Sansom and DCE William Krueger will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. An additional visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday morning at the church. Military rites will be provided by the United States Army and Tazewell Military Rites Team. Burial will be at Sand Prairie Cemetery in rural Green Valley.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Johns (Sand Prairie) Lutheran Church, 13443 Townline Road, Green Valley, Illinois 61534 or Good Shepherd Lutheran School, 3201 Court Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, www.preston-hanley.com