William A. "Bill" Baker, age 58, of Custer, SD, passed away on March 20, 2016, at his residence in Custer.

Bill was born on August 14, 1957, in Altoona, PA, to William E. and Mary Katherine (Young) Baker. He grew up in Navarre, Brewster area, of Ohio. Bill graduated Fairless High School. He graduated from Baldwin Wallace Collage in Berea, Ohio, while there he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and a member of the 1978 Div 3 National Champions Football Team as a Defensive Back. He worked in the feed business for over 25 years. Bill retired to the lovely Black Hills with his beloved Jackie and "crew"(cats, dogs and horses) in 2007.

Bill enjoyed volunteering in the Custer Community Youth Groups whenever possible including mentoring Youth Hunts and Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church Youth. He attended the Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church where he took special pleasure from supporting the Women of the ELCA and their missions. Bill enjoyed horseback riding, bailing hay, hunting, kayaking, sunrises and sunsets, and a cold Bud. He enjoyed time with friends at the Giegers Deer Camp in Ohio for over 30 years. He volunteered at the Outlaw Ranch near Custer and helped the Custer Ministerial Association with the Meet and Greet Dinners. Working to acquire funds for Ducks Unlimited through the production of successful DU Dinners was an important part of Bill's life. He was the chairperson of the event in Custer for the past two years. Bill was a friend to everyone he met. He received joy from helping others. He said that all a person had to do was listen and he would know what to do to help someone. The key word here is "do". Bill was a perfect example of one who does for others. He was a true optimist. The manner in which he lived with cancer for six months is proof of this. As long as there was a glimmer of light in the middle of all of the darkness, he held on to the hope that he would win.

Bill is survived by his forever friend, Jacqueline Hartwick of Custer; parents, William and Mary K. Baker of Navarre, OH; son, Matt (Katie) Baker of Columbus, OH; brothers, Timothy and Brenda Baker of Navarre, OH; Richard and Vicki Baker of Washington, PA; sisters, Anita and Dave Bille of Brewster, OH; Nelda Andrews of Navarre, OH; Loretta and Steve Raff of Orrville, OH; Theresa and Cary Lemon of Massillon, OH; Romona "Mandy" and Eric Geiser of Kidron, OH; and one grandson, Isaac.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 2, 2016, at the Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church in Custer with Pastor Tom Opoien officiating.

A memorial in Bill's name has been established to benefit the WELCA at Custer Lutheran Fellowship (12622 US Highway 16 A, Custer, SD 57730). All money collected will be put toward the fund raising efforts for the anticipated Hospice Room in the new Custer Regional Hospital.