William Stanley Baker, age 98, of Miller County Care, formerly of Ulman, passed away Saturday, February 5, 2011, at Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach. He was born in Hickory Point on November 18, 1912, son of the late Louis William and Mary (Parthenia) Baker.

Stanley, as most folks called him, attended grade school in Ulman and went to high school in Brumley. After graduation, he relocated to Iowa, and worked for his uncle for a time. He eventually returned to Missouri and worked transporting livestock to and from St. Louis. Stanley married Maria Russell and they had one son together, Jim. Stanley also owned WSB Lumber Company in Osage Beach for 14 years.

February 2, 1971, William Stanley Baker and Ellen Lorena Welch were wed. The Baker's enjoyed 37 years together, living on the Baker farm near Ulman, farming, raising beef cattle, and riding herd on a menagerie of cats in all colors and sizes. They moved to Miller County Care and resided together there until the time of Lorena's passing in 2008.
Stanley was aptly named. He was quite the baker, and loved spending time in the kitchen baking batches of cookies, candies and cakes. In the summertime, Stanley became the king of the vegetable garden. He took pride in growing the largest, tastiest tomatoes in Miller County, and maybe the country. Though Stanley wasn't a golfer, he enjoyed relaxing in front of the TV on Sunday afternoons watching the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer playing "pasture pool."

Those who knew Stanley, knew him as one of the kindest, most generous, hard working men they would ever know.

William Stanley Baker was a member of the Brumley Baptist Church. He is survived by a son, Jim Baker, a brother, Gene, of Northhampton, MA, a step son, Robert Welch of Dubuque, IA, a granddaughter, Melissa, and another granddaughter, Misty Woolf of Dubuque, IA.

The surviving family especially wants to thank Dr. C. Haggerty for the loving care he provided for so many years, Rhonda Chapman of Social Services, and thank you to each and every member of the assisted living staff and the skilled staff of Miller County Care and Rehabilitation Center for their kindness, comfort and care.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., with services immediately following at 11 a.m., on Friday, February 11, 2011, at Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia. Bro. Gene Edwards will officiate. A private family interment will be in Hawkins Cemetery near Brumley.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Hawkins Cemetery.