Willie was born in Oklahoma City, OK in 1922, to Mack and Lula Baker. Along with his brothers, Paul, Roger, David and Leroy and sisters Helen, Mary and Merle, they moved to California in 1940. He attended Capitol Hill High School and then received his ROTC training at Compton Community College. He was called into active service in 1943 during WWII, where he served as Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in China. Upon his return he attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he completed his Bachelors Degree. In 1953 he served as the Dean of Students at Sharon Bible College in Madera, CA. Willie went to work for Caltrans as a Civil Engineer in 1953, which later brought him to San Diego in 1960. Willie met his wife of 47 years, Audrey, while serving in the Naval Reserve (SeaBees) in Oxnard, CA and married on May 5th, 1963. They combined their family of six childreWillie continued to work for Caltrans and serve in the Navy Reserves for 23 years. Willie and Audrey started their venture with Folex Company in 1967 and brought the company to a nationally recognized product. Willie was a Shriner, a 32nd degree Mason and in his spare time he served the community of Spring Valley as Mr. Spring Valley, past president and member of the Casa de Oro Business Association, Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce and Lyons Club. He is a member and past president of the Sino-American Cooperative Organization ( The Rice Patty Gang ). Brought together to help the civilian Chinese families defend themselves from the possible invasion of Japanese soldiers during WWII and a life member of the Naval Reserve Association. Willie was loved and will be so greatly missed.

Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on June 30, 2010