William G. Baker

Born in Saranac Lake on March 6, 1935, he was the son of David and Hazel Baker.

Bill was on the first golf team for Saranac Lake High School, and he graduated in 1954. He proudly served in the United States Air Force from Jan. 10, 1955, to Nov. 10, 1958. After being honorably discharged, Bill met the love of his life, Anne Curry. They were married on Oct. 15, 1960, at the First Methodist Church in Saranac Lake. Anne predeceased him on Dec. 21, 1996.

After moving away and starting their family, they moved back to their beloved Saranac Lake. Starting in the mid-1970s, Bill and Anne owned and operated two successful restaurants in Saranac Lake. First was North Country Fried Chicken. Bill always enjoyed hosting the Saranac Lake High School football and basketball teams for free team dinners after every home game. His second restaurant adventure was a doughnut shop cleverly named Baker’s Dozen Donuts, which of course had 13 donuts to a dozen. As the 1970s came to a close, Bill started working at Adirondack Correctional Facility as a head cook until his retirement in 1997.

Anyone that knew Bill knew that family was everything to him. He loved his wife and girls more than anything. When his granddaughters were born, his love just grew and grew. He would just light up when talking about his four girls.

Bill enjoyed bowling with his wife for many years on their team “The Chickens” as well as golfing, playing horseshoes, hunting, fishing and camping. He was a diehard Boston Red Sox fan all his life and his four girls have followed in his footsteps. However, he was on his own with his love for the Cleveland Browns.

In Bill’s later years, you could find him sitting on his deck with his dog Jellybean, waving to the boats going by. Bill loved telling and retelling stories of all his wonderful memories with his beloved uncles Clarence, Clifford “Kip” and Evet Baker. If you were lucky enough to get one or more of his stories of his uncles, you knew you were a true friend of Bill’s.

He is survived by two daughters, Denise Baker (Debra Amo) and Darcy Baker, both of Saranac Lake; two granddaughters, Courtney Baker and Sophie Baker, also of Saranac Lake; and several nieces and nephews.

Bill was predeceased by his parents; one sister, Joyce Amell; and one brother, Ronald Baker.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. A funeral service with military honors will immediately follow at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Eric Olsen officiating. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

Friends wishing to remember William George Baker may make memorial contributions to the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department or Holiday Helpers in care of the funeral home.

Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories online at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.