William Allen Baker, Jr.

William Allen Baker, Jr., “Bill”, 91, of Johns Island, South Carolina, husband of Ruth Baker entered into eternal rest Thursday, November 9, 2023. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, November 16, 2023 in Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3871 Betsy Kerrison Parkway at 10:00 am. Family and friends will gather to say prayers of final farewell and commendation in Fair Ridge Cemetery, Chappaqua, NY on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 11:15 am. The family will receive friends Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Downtown Chapel, Charleston.  

Bill was born September 29, 1932 in Saint Louis, Missouri, son of William Allen and Mary Powers Baker.  He  made it his life’s work to dispense kindness on a frequent basis, participating actively in causes from New York to the South Carolina Lowcountry. A scholarly gentleman with degrees from Georgetown University, Harvard Business School, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the Medical University of South Carolina, Bill found success and widespread respect as chair of the board of The Baker Companies, a real estate development and investment company based in Pleasantville, NY.

Equally impressive, if not more so, are his community and philanthropic activities. He served as Vice-Chair of the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation, was appointed Trustee of Medical University of South Carolina by Governor Haley, served as Vice-Chair of the Northern Westchester Hospital Center, and was a founding member of the Stellaris Health Network. Bill received the John Carroll Award from Georgetown University, his alma mater, where he served on the Board of Regents, the Board of Trustees, and chaired the committee on medical center affairs. He also served as President of St. John and St. Mary’s Parish Council, Chappaqua, New York, was a Trustee at Marymount College, Tarrytown, New York and served on the finance committee and was a long time parishioner at Holy Spirit Church, John’s Island, South Carolina. 

His life stands as a testimony to the intrinsic virtues of hard work and benevolence.    

He is survived by his six children, William Allen (Diane) Baker III, Marcus Daly (Ellen) Baker, Michael Joseph (Lynn) Baker, Catherine Baker (Brian) Shaw, Patricia Baker (Philip) King, Christopher Thomas (Rachel) Baker ; Step-son Andrew M (Diana) Cohen; brother, Allen H (Madeline) Baker; 14 grandchildren; Mary Daly Baker, Kelsea Coogan Baker, Erin Baker Abell, Marcus Daly Baker Jr., Kevin Michael Baker, Christopher Connor Baker, James Austin Baker, Catherine Elizabeth Shaw, James Blair Shaw, Philip Clark King Jr., Lucelle Powers King, Daly Diehl Baker, Maeve Sarchet Baker and Samuel “Sasha” Cohen along with 12 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife Lucelle “Lucy” Daly Baker; and grandson; William Allen Baker IV.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach, 1684 Brownswood Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455 or Storm Eye Institute 167 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425.