BILLY JOE BAKER,

86, of Jacksonville, went to be with the Lord on January 15, 2022. He was born September 17, 1935, in Vicco, Kentucky, to the late William and Nila (Sergent) Baker. In addition to his parents, Billy was welcomed into Heaven by his wife of sixty-three years, Mary Ann Baker; and brothers, Charlie and Dale Baker. Mr. Baker enlisted in the Navy in 1959. He served his country for eleven years and was honorably discharged in 1966. They moved to West Virginia to raise their young family where he worked for AT&T for fifteen years. In June of 1975, he accepted Christ as his Savior. He served as a faithful layman at Bible Baptist Temple in Stonewood, West Virginia. He was called into full time Christian service and moved to East Peoria, Illinois, to Averyville Baptist Church and served there for ten years, being the Business Manager and Vice President for Fellowship Baptist College.

In 1991, Billy moved to Jacksonville, Arkansas, to Bible Baptist Church as Business Manager and Vice President for Bethel Baptist College. He served here for twenty-eight years before retiring. He was always concerned for people and their eternity. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Those left to cherish Billy’s memory include his daughters, Dianna (Steve) Green and Angela (Rich) Frazier; grandchildren, Ryan Crawford, Bethany Day, Dustin Crawford, Grant Frazier and Dillon Frazier; sisters, Patricia (Leon) Burton and Martha (Pete) Moore; and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, January 20, 2022, at Bible Baptist Church. Visitation will be one hour prior, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the church. Billy will be laid to rest with military honors at Chapel Hill Memorial Park following the service. Arrangements by Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home, 501-982-2136.