Willard Elliot Baker

Willard E. Baker, 97, passed away, Friday, January 15, 2021 at Avantara in Billings from a recent fall. Officially named after his grandfather, he was lovingly named Willard by his parents, Everett and Molly Baker on January 4, 1924 in Billings. Willard has one sister, Virginia Frank of Billings and two sons, Scott (Linda) of Billings and Mark (Debra) of Cheney, Washington. Additionally Willard has four grandchildren Todd (Ann) Baker, Ryan (Rachel) Baker, Travis Baker, and Tanya Baker, and five great-grandchildren Sera, Gabe, Ivy, Raina, and Libby. His parents and his wife Shirley preceded him in death. Willard attended schools in Billings, graduating from Billings Senior. He went onto college at the University of Montana in Missoula. His education was interrupted by WWII. As a boy Willard was active in the Billings Rotary Boys Band as a baritone player. He was also a member of the Boy Scouts and played catcher on both an American Legion baseball team and on a City League baseball team. While attending Billings Senior, he was active in band, several school clubs, and ran on the track team as a low hurdler. Willard served in WWII with the 17th Airborne Division as a U.S. Army Master Sargent combat paratrooper. He parachuted over the Rhine River into Germany and remained there until the end of the war. After WWII, Willard returned to Billings in 1946 and went into the family business, Baker Transfer and Storage with his dad and two uncles. He remained there until he retired as Manager / Owner upon the sale of the business in the spring of 1984. On May 11, 1946, Willard married his high school sweetheart, Shirley M. Hofacker. They were Married for 54 years until Shirley passed away in April, 2003. Throughout their marriage they were avid travelers, taking their travel from coast to coast. They especially enjoyed camping in Yellowstone Park, the Oregon Coast and along Rock Creek at Red Lodge. At Christmas Willard along with Shirley enjoyed dropping by their friends and relatives to deliver plates filled with homemade cookies and candies, always wearing their bright red Christmas socks. Besides managing Baker Transfer, Willard was active in the Yellowstone Kiwanis Club, PTA, Elks, The Billings Traffic Club, The Billings Chamber of Commerce, Allied Van Lines Board of Directors, Montana Motor Carriers, and the Montana Warehousemen’s Association. He also received the Boy Scout Silver Beaver Award for his contributions as a leader in Boy Scouts that included taking a troop of scouts to the Boy Scout National Jamboree. He remained in shape by running at the YMCA for over 55 years. Additionally Willard was active on several YMCA committees. Recently, Willard was active in the Big Sky Honor Flight to help his fellow WWII Veterans to travel to Washington DC to tour the WWII Veteran’s Memorial. The Baker family wishes to thank Doctors, Hagen and Christianson for their loving and passionate care. Additionally the Baker family wishes to thank both the staff of West Park Village and Avantara for their thoughtfulness and caring services. Per Willard’s wishes he has been cremated. It was also his wish and desire to have only a graveside committal with his family and a few friends. Those wishing to make a donation in Willard’s name could contribute to the Billings Food Bank, Salvation Army, Billings Elks Scholarship Fund, or the charity of their choice. Dad, granddad, great-granddad, uncle, brother, veteran, scoutmaster, friend, and boss, you will be greatly missed. Dad will you say hello to mom for all of us when you meet up? It is great to know that you and mom are together once again. God Bless You!!