William W. Baker, Sr.
Born on August 17, 1936, in Phillipsburg, NJ, he was the son of the late Christopher and Katherine Kaffitz Baker.
William owned Rowe’s Texaco Station in Phillipsburg, NJ; he was the Lopatcong Township Mayor for two terms, having also served as a Councilman and on the township’s Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment. He was a member of and past Chief of the Lopatcong Fire Company No. 1 and No. 2, past president of the Warren County Fire Chief’s Association, a member of the New Jersey Fireman’s Advisory Board, the Fire School Executive Board and a Life Member of the Exempt Fireman’s Association. William was also the past President of the Warren County League of Municipalities, a member of the Board of Recreation Commissioners, the Solid Waste Advisory Board, the Municipal and Charitable Trust Fund and the Smart Growth Board. He served on the American Red Cross Board and volunteered for both the American Cancer Society and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In addition, William served on the Board of Director’s for the Wesley United Methodist Church, delivered for “Meals on Wheels” for the elderly and was a member and volunteer for the Phillipsburg Chamber of Commerce. He was the past Master of the Phillipsburg Masonic Lodge F & AM #52, he served as Jr. Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of NJ – F & AM and was the past President of the Masters, Warden’s & Past Masters Organization # 14 Masonic District. He was a member of the Crescent Shrine Temple, the past President and life member of the West Jersey Shrine Club, he helped provide free medical assistance for local children at the Shriners Hospital of Philadelphia, he was a member of the Scottish Rites Warren County Forest, 1989 Grand Tall Cedar, he was the past President and member of the Phillipsburg Rotary Club and a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for Charitable work.
William is survived by his wife, Shirley A. (Hoppock) Baker, his sons; William W. Baker, Jr. and his wife Cathy and David L. Baker and his wife Jodi, his grandchildren; Jennifer Weinert and her husband Rob, David Baker, Jr. and his fiancée Melinda and Stephen Baker and his wife Ashley; his great-grandchildren; Ryan, Tyler, Alden, Aubrey, Walker and Quinn, his great-great grandchild, Mason and his sister Joan Stephano.
Viewing Hours will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at the Finegan Funeral Home, 302 Heckman St, Phillipsburg, NJ, from 1-3 PM and 5-7 PM with an addition hour being held the following day from 10-11 AM, with a Funeral Service to directly follow. The interment is then going to be at Fairmount Cemetery, Phillipsburg, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations, in William’s name, to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave, Newton, NJ, 07860.