I was an unusual patient.   He and an intern performed a tubal ligation on me in March 1977 in Mt. Shasta hospital.   After they sewed me up, I had a bad reaction to the anesthesia and flipped off the operating table.   I remember briefly waking up as my knees came towards my chest and seeing everyone talking as they were walking out of the operating room.    I hit the IV stand face first leaving a bruise in my chest.  Next I woke up on the xray machine hearing Dr. Baker talking urgently to me telling me what was happening and his fear that something happened to the 12" rod in my back.  I was in the hospital for a couple of days.   I remember the nurses not speaking to me.   Dr
 Baker was do kind to me.  I hurt so bad.  I was living in a tent on my property after losing everything in a fire in San Leandro on Halloween night 1976.  No I didn't sue.  I didn't want the intern to start his career with that on his record and I certainly didn't want Dr.  Baker to think I blamed him.   No one can predict how a patient will react to things.  I stopped by to see him in his office a couple of decades later and when I told the receptionist who I was,  she knew!  Dr. Baker came right out to the waiting room and told everyone who I was!   Unbelievable!   It's just one of those things that happen in life that it's better to have a good laugh.  The operation failed and 2 years later I gave birth to a daughter, Heather Coleman.   She turned 45 on September 2nd (1978).  Just a chapter in my strange life.   God bless you Dr. Baker.   Marilyn Williams,  Benson Arizona,  age 70.

Dr.William Baker was my Doctor and friend during his Practice in Dunsmuir Ca. We were both pilot's and kept our airplanes at Mott Airport and members of the commission to raise funds/grants improving and extending runway and acquiring water and sewage so to conform for Grants a huge improvement.  Recently became aware of his passing he was a fine Doctor and important during his time of service to Dunsmuir. 

I worked with Bill at RIOH-Crossroads. He told me a story about his time in the US Army Air Corp flying B-24 Liberators on a raid into Romania to bomb nazi held refinery's. He said his bomber suffered heavy damage and he ordered his crew to bail-out, and they did, he then proceeded to bail-out and hit something knocking him senseless. He woke in a field to a pair of soviet troops getting ready to bash his brains in with the butts of their rifles. He exclaimed "No No American!" They took him to their unit commander who arraigned for his transport back to his unit.

Excellent physician,  caring and thoughtful. Always trustful and trusting.  Came out of retirement asking me for a job in 1992 because he just couldn't stand not caring for patients.  Not sure which was more important---that or flying. He kept working until he couldn't stand up,  but his mind was always sharp.
Most of all, he was a true and dear friend.
I will forever miss you, Bill.

OBITUARY

William Matthew Baker Jr.

July 3, 1925 – March 24, 2018

Lawncrest Chapel & Memorial Park

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