Obituary for William Alfred Baker
William Alfred Baker (Bill), age 77 of Marietta, GA, formally of Nutley, NJ, passed away on October 29, 2021. He was born on February 16, 1944 to Aaron and Beatrice Baker in Newark, NJ. Bill graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in 1962 where he met his bride. In 1966, Bill and Ellen were married and made countless memories over their 55 years together including the many made at their second home in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Bill was raised by his foster parents, Ed and Marie (Regan) Weber, along with numerous foster siblings. In 1985, Bill reconnected with his biological family and enjoyed getting to know his siblings. He especially liked spending time with his brother Bob in Florida.
Following graduation from Good Counsel, Bill joined the US National Guard and served proudly until 1969. He began his career with United Parcel Service in 1964 as an Accounts Payable Assistant in the New Jersey District. In 1967 he became the first District Purchasing Manager and assumed responsibility for the eastern region in 1976. He joined the Corporate Purchasing Staff as Group Manager in 1986. He and Ellen moved to Atlanta in 1992 where Bill continued to grow his career and retired in 2000 after 36 year career with UPS.
An active member of the Nutley Auxiliary Police for over 16 years, Bill retired as Chief in 1991. During his tenure, he dramatically increased membership and reorganized the unit. He was also a lifetime member of the Nutley Elks Lodge 1290.
Bill loved classic cars, NASCAR, tinkering in his garage, but above all, he loved spending time with his friends, family, and grandkids, who will miss their Pappi. Whether it be doing home improvements, making repairs, or helping with moves, Bill was always ready, willing, and able to lend a helping hand to family and his large circle of friends.
Bill was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) in 2017. Though the disease constrained his ability to do the things he loved, his strength and positive attitude never wavered. He enjoyed what he could with his support team by his side, including caretaker Stephen Jama, who became a great friend. Bill will be remembered for his one-liners, his love of movies, his beautiful blue eyes, and his magnetic personality.
Bill is survived by his daughters: Alicia and her husband Scott and their son Jack (Gilkey) of Alpharetta, GA; Janice and her husband Mark and their son Dean (DiPaolo) of Verona, NJ; and Melissa, Lee and their children Lee, Sydney, and Trevor (Hands) of Canton, GA. Bill is also survived by his brothers: Robert and his wife Connie of Hamilton, NJ; David Starling and his wife Connie of Trenton, NJ; and Bill Grekstas and his wife Dorothy of Bayonne, NJ. His sisters are Ruth Marcello of Trenton, NJ; Sharon Baker Schnatz of Florida; and Dolly Harrison of California. Additionally many beloved nieces and nephews that he adored.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 1, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at H. M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel, 1157 Old Canton Road Ne, Marietta, GA 30068. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. Ann Catholic Church, 4905 Roswell Road, Marietta, GA, 30062.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift in Bill’s name to CurePSP at psp.org
Bill was raised by his foster parents, Ed and Marie (Regan) Weber, along with numerous foster siblings. In 1985, Bill reconnected with his biological family and enjoyed getting to know his siblings. He especially liked spending time with his brother Bob in Florida.
Following graduation from Good Counsel, Bill joined the US National Guard and served proudly until 1969. He began his career with United Parcel Service in 1964 as an Accounts Payable Assistant in the New Jersey District. In 1967 he became the first District Purchasing Manager and assumed responsibility for the eastern region in 1976. He joined the Corporate Purchasing Staff as Group Manager in 1986. He and Ellen moved to Atlanta in 1992 where Bill continued to grow his career and retired in 2000 after 36 year career with UPS.
An active member of the Nutley Auxiliary Police for over 16 years, Bill retired as Chief in 1991. During his tenure, he dramatically increased membership and reorganized the unit. He was also a lifetime member of the Nutley Elks Lodge 1290.
Bill loved classic cars, NASCAR, tinkering in his garage, but above all, he loved spending time with his friends, family, and grandkids, who will miss their Pappi. Whether it be doing home improvements, making repairs, or helping with moves, Bill was always ready, willing, and able to lend a helping hand to family and his large circle of friends.
Bill was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) in 2017. Though the disease constrained his ability to do the things he loved, his strength and positive attitude never wavered. He enjoyed what he could with his support team by his side, including caretaker Stephen Jama, who became a great friend. Bill will be remembered for his one-liners, his love of movies, his beautiful blue eyes, and his magnetic personality.
Bill is survived by his daughters: Alicia and her husband Scott and their son Jack (Gilkey) of Alpharetta, GA; Janice and her husband Mark and their son Dean (DiPaolo) of Verona, NJ; and Melissa, Lee and their children Lee, Sydney, and Trevor (Hands) of Canton, GA. Bill is also survived by his brothers: Robert and his wife Connie of Hamilton, NJ; David Starling and his wife Connie of Trenton, NJ; and Bill Grekstas and his wife Dorothy of Bayonne, NJ. His sisters are Ruth Marcello of Trenton, NJ; Sharon Baker Schnatz of Florida; and Dolly Harrison of California. Additionally many beloved nieces and nephews that he adored.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 1, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at H. M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel, 1157 Old Canton Road Ne, Marietta, GA 30068. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. Ann Catholic Church, 4905 Roswell Road, Marietta, GA, 30062.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift in Bill’s name to CurePSP at psp.org