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Submitted: 7/28/23 • Approved: 7/28/23 • Last Updated: 7/31/23 • R579019-G579018-S3
James W. “Bill” Baker
December 12, 1917-February 19, 1978
Please see military marker
Lela M. Atchley Baker Geer
August 11, 1922-October 12, 2017
Please see closeup views
*Photo, courtesy M. Bishop
*Obituary James W. “Bill” Baker
James William "Bill" Baker married Lela Mae Atchley on October 5, 1940 in Hamilton County, Texas.
Newspaper article on their marriage: Miss Lela Mae Atchley and James Baker Married Here, Saturday (10/5/1940) On Saturday evening, October 5, in the twilight hour, Miss Lela Mae Atchley and James Baker, of the West Point Community, were united in the holy bons of matrimony, the Rev. John D. West officiating. The ceremony was solemnized in the living room at the home of the minister with Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, close friends of the couple witnessing the pledging of the vows. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are among the county's most worthy young people, and the establishment of their home in a farm in their native community is cordially welcomed by a host of their friends. They are popular in the social life of the settlement, and will make useful citizens.
James moved his family to Big Spring, Texas around 1950 and became a police officer with the Big Spring Police Department, working his way to Sergeant until his retirement. He and his wife had 4 children together: Etta Louise, Doyal Wayne, Donnie Ralph, and Rodney Steve. He served in World War II as a sharp shooter in Co. M 267th Reg A.C.
James was born in 1917. He was the son of Azaria Baker and Annie Leonard. He passed away in 1978. Honor: World War II Veteran. Occupation: Policeman / charter and Lifetime member of BSPD
Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981 -- Name: James William Baker Birth 12 Dec 1917 Hamilton, Texas, United States Gender: Male Father's Name: Az. R. Baker Mother's Name: Annie Elter Leonard
James William “Bill” Baker BIRTH 12 Dec 1917 Hamilton, Hamilton County, Texas, USA DEATH 19 Feb 1978 (aged 60) Odessa, Ector County, Texas, USA BURIAL Trinity Memorial Park Big Spring, Howard County, Texas, USA
Parents Azariah Robert Baker 1885–1957 / Annie Elter Leonard Baker 1890–1979
Spouse 5 October 1940 Hamilton, Hamilton, Texas, United States Lela Mae Atchley Geer 1922–2017 (m. 1940)
Children
1. Etta Louise Baker 1942-
2. Doyal Wayne Baker 1944–1945 Burial: Murphree Cemetery, Evant, Hamilton Co., Texas
3. Donnie Ralph Baker ? - ?
4. Rodney Steve Baker 1953-
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Baker-44219
*Obituary Lela M. Atchley Baker Geer
Lela Baker Geer, 95, of Big Spring died, Thursday, October 12, 2017 in a local hospital.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, October 16, 2017 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.
Lela Baker Geer was born August, 11, 1922 to Luie A. and Lillie Bynum Atchley in Hamilton, Texas.
She first married James William Baker on October 5, 1940 in Hamilton, Texas.
She married Kenneth Vance Geer on June 2, 1986 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
She moved to Big Spring in the early 1950's and worked at Anthony's and 1st National Bank among others.
She was a Baptist and attended Trinity Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Vance Geer of Big Spring; two sisters, Fay Dean Kendall and Margie Harris and husband, Elmer; three children, Louise Whitaker, Don Baker and wife, Linda all of Big Spring and Steve Baker and wife Pam of Lubbock; eight grandchildren, Stacey Childers and husband, Jeff, Lori Massingill, Jody Whitaker and wife, Cheryl, Craig Baker, Meredith Crisp and husband, Charlie, Marc Baker and wife, Sandy, Chance Baker and wife, Heather and Whitney Crump and husband, Chris; twenty great grandchildren, Josh Childers and wife, Amber, Ryan Childers, Atchley Massingill, Cassi Massingill, Tara Kimberly and, husband Matt, Savannah Grigg, Sheridan, Shiloh and Sarah Whitaker, Zak and Callie Baker, Ashley, Kylie and Carlie Crisp, Bella and Jace Baker, McKenley and Connor Baker and Kyslie and Casen Crump and seven great great grandchildren; Gracie and Johnathan Childers, Vye Mendoza and Rilya Massingill, Bre and Ashlyn McPherson and Mason Kimberly and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill Baker and a son, Doyal Wayne Baker.
Pallbearers will be Marc Baker, Zak Baker, Chance Baker, Chris Crump, Josh Childers, Ryan Childers and Charlie Crisp.
The family suggests that memorial be made to Compass Hospice, 1900 S. Gregg Street, Suite C, Big Spring, Texas 79720 or to a favorite charity.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com
https://npwelch.com/obituary/lela-baker-geer/
Contributed on 7/28/23 by neldapat
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Record #: 579019