Obit: William H. Baker, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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>From the July 1, 1949 Winnfield News-American

Former Winnfield Mayor Died During Sleep In Monroe

Interment Was Tuesday Afternoon


Funeral services were held Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. at the Southern Funeral Home
for William H. Baker, 75, former mayor of Winnfield, who died suddenly in his
sleep in Monroe between 11 and 12 p.m. Monday.  Mr. Baker was staying in
Monroe while employed on a bridge repair project at Sterlington.  At the time
of his death, his wife and daughter were visiting relatives in Oak Grove.

Officiating at the funeral were Rev. Fred S. Flurry and Rev. Alwin Stokes. 
Interment was in the Winnfield Cemetery under the direction of the Southern
Funeral Home.  Stores and businesses in Winnfield closed from 4 until 5:30
p.m.

Pallbearers were R. D. Bevill,Jr., Jesse L. Corley, Ed Grigsby, J. R. Madden,
W. L. Owens, Houston Smith, and S. P. Fox.

The deceased is survived by his widow, the former Olive Wallace, who he
married in December, 1904; one brother, John Baker, of Houston, Tex.; one
daughter, Mrs. L. H. Willis, of Oak Grove; two grandchildren, Bill Willis of
Louisiana Tech, and Valerie Willis of Oak Grove.

Mr. Baker came to Winnfield from Texas around 1900 following the Galveston
storm and during his many years here was an active citizen of the town,
serving as alderman in 1928 to 1930, and as mayor form 1930 to 1934.  It was
during his term of office that the municipal ownership of utilities, now in
operation, was put to a vote and once defeated.  He was a strong advocate of
municipal ownership of public utilities, and planned for the City of Winnfield
its first low-cost garbage disposal system.  A carpenter and building
contractor by trade, he build many fine homes around Winnfield.  He was a well
known fiddler, and kept many entertained throughout his lifetime with old time
music.  Mr. Baker was a member of the Winnfield Methodist Church.

The deceased was born in Houston, Tex., on January 15, 1874.  He was the son
of William Henry Baker and Nannie E. Mason Baker.

(Submitted by Greggory Ellis Davies, Winnfield, Winn Parish, LA.)