William Ralph Baker, age 96, of 646 Airport Road, Newberry, S.C., went to be with the Lord on September 22, 2026.

The funeral service and burial will be held on Saturday, September 26 at St. James Lutheran Church, 228 Jalapa Road, Newberry, S.C. at 11:00 with visitation after the services.

Ralph was a longtime active member of the St. James Lutheran Church where he was a past council member and member of the adult Sunday School class. He was a participant in the building of the Sunday School addition and building of the playground.

Ralph was born in Whitmire, S.C. and was the son of Camillus “Cay” Baker and Essie Orie Adams. In 1949, he was married to his neighbor and schoolmate Mildred Louise Wise until her passing in 2013.

He is survived by his two sons Phillip Ralph Baker (Robin) of Newberry and Eugene Wise Baker (Ellen) of Pomaria. There are six grandchildren: Michelle Williams (Joseph), Tamra Baker (Adam), Maria Torres (William), Ricky Baker, Amber Parker (David) and Angela McKinnon, sixteen great grandchildren: Ari Sexton (Shawn), Evan Williams, Ethan Williams, Amy Hood, Mikala Hood, Claire Hood, Sara Hood, Cadence Torres, Kylee Torres, Luca Torres, Mildred Torres, Zury Parker, Marshall Parker, Banner Parker, Loreli McKinnon, and Neva McKinnon. Great great grandchildren are John William Knight, Emeri Sexton and Wren Sexton.

Thanks to a special companion, neighbor and longtime friend Mrs. Carolyn Wicker, who filled his time and spirit. Mrs. Carolyn and Ralph were the two remaining 1947 Bush River schoolmates.

He was predeceased by his parents, wife, and brothers and sisters: Margaret Ellison, Allen Baker, Mary Trammell, Edna Bodie, Azilee Nance, James Cay Baker, and a granddaughter Amy Catherine Baker.

Ralph lived with his family on Rocky Creek Road in the Bush River area until the first grade. He then moved with his family to the corner of Spearman Road and Trinity Springs Road between the second and fifth grade. A government grant allowed the family to buy and make a home in Newberry on Highway 76. He graduated from Bush River High School in 1947. After marriage, he went to basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and then moved to Fort Hood, Texas where he supported the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. He was in the 1st Armored Division, Company B. While there he calibrated artillery systems and was a radio technician in the anti-aircraft division. He took this knowledge and upon his return to Newberry, started a side business and worked with a neighbor Ray Gilliam repairing vacuum tube televisions, radios and radio towers. He worked for 42 years for Greenwood Mills working at the Joanna and Ninety-six plants as a weaver and loom fixer. He loved working his farm, where he planted crops, baled hay and ran 30 or so head of cattle until his passing. Work was his pastime.

Pallbearers are Allen Barron Baker, Richard Baker, David Parker, Marshall Parker, Bryan Smith and Tommy Whitehead.

Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 228 Jalapa Road, Newberry SC 29108 or to the charity of their choice.