Bill Baker
I was born in Bolivar, Missouri on June 13, 1924, to Wynonna Nell Graves Baker and William Dewey Baker. Dad was a student at Southwest Baptist College. Dad was pastor of First Baptist Church at Waynesville, Missouri. We moved to Waynesville in 1927 and returned to Bolivar a year later. In the early '30s's we moved to St. Joseph, Missouri were Dad was district missionary to northwest Missouri. I entered 1st grade at Eugene Field School. Truett was born there in 1934.We returned to Bolivar. Dad was employed by Southwest Baptist College to raise funds for the college. I attended 5th and 6th grade. In 1936 we moved to Iola, Kansas, where Dad was pastor of the Baptist Temple – a Northern Baptist church. I lettered in high school football two years. Dad had a terrible auto wreck in 1939. In1941 we moved to Springfield, Missouri. Dad was pastor of Pythian Avenue Baptist Church. I lettered in football and graduated from high school there. I accepted a call from the Lord for special service there when I was 18. Dad took me to San Antonio for Southern Baptist Convention. There we met again with Dr. George W. Truett. I failed to mention when I was 9 I accepted Christ as my Savior, when Dr. Truett led a service for Junior Department First Baptist Church St. Joseph. He was holding a city-wide revival there. I attended College of Marshal in fall of '42. In 1942 Dad became pastor of First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Texas. I met Dr. Truett again in his office in late 42 or early '43 to deliver issues of College & Journey Service. He said I should stay in school and marry Betty. I struggle with that decision of school or service – stayed ready for both – my name never came up in the draft, although I had volunteered. I attended Dr. Truett's funeral in 1944 with Mom and Dad at the First Baptist Church in Dallas. In June of 1944 I received A.A. degree from the College of Marshall – a Junior College then. On July 19, 1944, Betty and I married in New London, Texas, First Baptist Church. She was 18 and I was 20 – Dad had to sign a release because I was not 21,which was the minimum age at the time. We went to Dallas for our honeymoon –in a 1931 Chevy! We attended College of Marshall in 1944, as it had become a 4 year school. In fall of 1945 and 1946 we moved to Waco and attended Baylor University. In 1947 we moved to Fort Worth and I became pastor of the Galvez Street Mission. Later we organized the mission into a church, the Immanuel Baptist Church and it has done well as a church. Beverly was born there in Harris Methodist Hospital on October 23, 1946. I received a B. A. degree from Texas Christian University. In early 1949 we moved to Highlands Texas where I became pastor of Second Baptist Church. Joe was born November 27, 1949 at the Baptist Hospital in Houston. Perhaps I should review churches I served. While a student at C.O.M. my first pastorate was the Lanier Baptist Church just outside Jefferson where Dad was pastor. Other churches: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church near Mount Pleasant, Texas; New Hopewell Baptist Church at Gilmer, Texas; and a mission of First Baptist Church of Longview, Texas. At Baylor I was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Milano, Texas, near Rockdale. From there we went to Fort Worth in1949 – to Galvez Street Mission, which we organized it into Immanuel Baptist Church. From Second Baptist in Highlands we went to the University Park Baptist Church of San Antonio in 1950 to 1952.In 1952 I felt led to accept a position as Superintendent of Bethesda Home in San Antonio, a unit of Buckner Orphans Home. We cared for unwed mothers and adoption services it was a small home, about 13 or 14 girls at a time. In 1953 to1955 I attended school for Social Work at The Lady of the Lake University. I graduated in 1955 with a Master of Social Work. About this time Dr. Webb of the First Baptist Church asked me to become his assistant – Betty continued to operate the Bethesda Home as she had most of the time we had been there. (I had been in school.)The time with Dr. Webb at First Baptist Church was one of great joy. We thought we had it made – but other things happened. Dr. Ellis Cornett, President of Buckner Orphans Home asked me to come to Dallas to develop a social service program for the orphan's home. At the time there were
650 children living there. It was a self-contained system with its own church and school system and football team. It was a difficult decision. We loved the work, the church, and San Antonio –James and John were born there, '54 for John and '56 for James. We moved to Dallas in the summer of '57 and I became the first social worker in the history of the home Betty worked also. We bought the home at 1936 Peavy Road and moved to 2310 Chart in 1970.Betty finished her college degree at East Texas State University (it is now a part of Texas A & M, which makes her an "Aggie".) After working for Buckner as a Social Worker for 15 years she became a schoolteacher for the next 15 years and retired in 1988, later returning for two more years. She received many hours for her teaching and classroom management. I retired from Buckner in 1990. I served there for 37 years. Together Betty and I set up a social service program for the home of 560 children. We started a foster home program and a Mothers aid program. We continued our work in adoption. We built a maternity home here in Dallas and involved in extending their services to other Buckner units and developed a state-wide child care service of residential care, foster care and adoption – over the 37 years at Buckner we placed over 3,000 children for adoption. For ten years after retirement I volunteered for the American Cancer Society, Old City Park, and Presbyterian Hospital.
Comments from Bill's Brother Truett:
My brother is a very special person to me he was more of a father to me growing up than my own father, who was always away to church activities. Bill taught me how to ride a bicycle, throw a ball and so many other things. He gave me the opportunity to leave the pastoral ministry and excel in social work. He was my first social work supervisor, which lasted nine years. I can't remember our ever having conflict. He is the best man I have ever known.
I was born in Bolivar, Missouri on June 13, 1924, to Wynonna Nell Graves Baker and William Dewey Baker. Dad was a student at Southwest Baptist College. Dad was pastor of First Baptist Church at Waynesville, Missouri. We moved to Waynesville in 1927 and returned to Bolivar a year later. In the early '30s's we moved to St. Joseph, Missouri were Dad was district missionary to northwest Missouri. I entered 1st grade at Eugene Field School. Truett was born there in 1934.We returned to Bolivar. Dad was employed by Southwest Baptist College to raise funds for the college. I attended 5th and 6th grade. In 1936 we moved to Iola, Kansas, where Dad was pastor of the Baptist Temple – a Northern Baptist church. I lettered in high school football two years. Dad had a terrible auto wreck in 1939. In1941 we moved to Springfield, Missouri. Dad was pastor of Pythian Avenue Baptist Church. I lettered in football and graduated from high school there. I accepted a call from the Lord for special service there when I was 18. Dad took me to San Antonio for Southern Baptist Convention. There we met again with Dr. George W. Truett. I failed to mention when I was 9 I accepted Christ as my Savior, when Dr. Truett led a service for Junior Department First Baptist Church St. Joseph. He was holding a city-wide revival there. I attended College of Marshal in fall of '42. In 1942 Dad became pastor of First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Texas. I met Dr. Truett again in his office in late 42 or early '43 to deliver issues of College & Journey Service. He said I should stay in school and marry Betty. I struggle with that decision of school or service – stayed ready for both – my name never came up in the draft, although I had volunteered. I attended Dr. Truett's funeral in 1944 with Mom and Dad at the First Baptist Church in Dallas. In June of 1944 I received A.A. degree from the College of Marshall – a Junior College then. On July 19, 1944, Betty and I married in New London, Texas, First Baptist Church. She was 18 and I was 20 – Dad had to sign a release because I was not 21,which was the minimum age at the time. We went to Dallas for our honeymoon –in a 1931 Chevy! We attended College of Marshall in 1944, as it had become a 4 year school. In fall of 1945 and 1946 we moved to Waco and attended Baylor University. In 1947 we moved to Fort Worth and I became pastor of the Galvez Street Mission. Later we organized the mission into a church, the Immanuel Baptist Church and it has done well as a church. Beverly was born there in Harris Methodist Hospital on October 23, 1946. I received a B. A. degree from Texas Christian University. In early 1949 we moved to Highlands Texas where I became pastor of Second Baptist Church. Joe was born November 27, 1949 at the Baptist Hospital in Houston. Perhaps I should review churches I served. While a student at C.O.M. my first pastorate was the Lanier Baptist Church just outside Jefferson where Dad was pastor. Other churches: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church near Mount Pleasant, Texas; New Hopewell Baptist Church at Gilmer, Texas; and a mission of First Baptist Church of Longview, Texas. At Baylor I was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Milano, Texas, near Rockdale. From there we went to Fort Worth in1949 – to Galvez Street Mission, which we organized it into Immanuel Baptist Church. From Second Baptist in Highlands we went to the University Park Baptist Church of San Antonio in 1950 to 1952.In 1952 I felt led to accept a position as Superintendent of Bethesda Home in San Antonio, a unit of Buckner Orphans Home. We cared for unwed mothers and adoption services it was a small home, about 13 or 14 girls at a time. In 1953 to1955 I attended school for Social Work at The Lady of the Lake University. I graduated in 1955 with a Master of Social Work. About this time Dr. Webb of the First Baptist Church asked me to become his assistant – Betty continued to operate the Bethesda Home as she had most of the time we had been there. (I had been in school.)The time with Dr. Webb at First Baptist Church was one of great joy. We thought we had it made – but other things happened. Dr. Ellis Cornett, President of Buckner Orphans Home asked me to come to Dallas to develop a social service program for the orphan's home. At the time there were
650 children living there. It was a self-contained system with its own church and school system and football team. It was a difficult decision. We loved the work, the church, and San Antonio –James and John were born there, '54 for John and '56 for James. We moved to Dallas in the summer of '57 and I became the first social worker in the history of the home Betty worked also. We bought the home at 1936 Peavy Road and moved to 2310 Chart in 1970.Betty finished her college degree at East Texas State University (it is now a part of Texas A & M, which makes her an "Aggie".) After working for Buckner as a Social Worker for 15 years she became a schoolteacher for the next 15 years and retired in 1988, later returning for two more years. She received many hours for her teaching and classroom management. I retired from Buckner in 1990. I served there for 37 years. Together Betty and I set up a social service program for the home of 560 children. We started a foster home program and a Mothers aid program. We continued our work in adoption. We built a maternity home here in Dallas and involved in extending their services to other Buckner units and developed a state-wide child care service of residential care, foster care and adoption – over the 37 years at Buckner we placed over 3,000 children for adoption. For ten years after retirement I volunteered for the American Cancer Society, Old City Park, and Presbyterian Hospital.
Comments from Bill's Brother Truett:
My brother is a very special person to me he was more of a father to me growing up than my own father, who was always away to church activities. Bill taught me how to ride a bicycle, throw a ball and so many other things. He gave me the opportunity to leave the pastoral ministry and excel in social work. He was my first social work supervisor, which lasted nine years. I can't remember our ever having conflict. He is the best man I have ever known.
Bill Baker
I was born in Bolivar, Missouri on June 13, 1924, to Wynonna Nell Graves Baker and William Dewey Baker. Dad was a student at Southwest Baptist College. Dad was pastor of First Baptist Church at Waynesville, Missouri. We moved to Waynesville in 1927 and returned to Bolivar a year later. In the early '30s's we moved to St. Joseph, Missouri were Dad was district missionary to northwest Missouri. I entered 1st grade at Eugene Field School. Truett was born there in 1934.We returned to Bolivar. Dad was employed by Southwest Baptist College to raise funds for the college. I attended 5th and 6th grade. In 1936 we moved to Iola, Kansas, where Dad was pastor of the Baptist Temple – a Northern Baptist church. I lettered in high school football two years. Dad had a terrible auto wreck in 1939. In1941 we moved to Springfield, Missouri. Dad was pastor of Pythian Avenue Baptist Church. I lettered in football and graduated from high school there. I accepted a call from the Lord for special service there when I was 18. Dad took me to San Antonio for Southern Baptist Convention. There we met again with Dr. George W. Truett. I failed to mention when I was 9 I accepted Christ as my Savior, when Dr. Truett led a service for Junior Department First Baptist Church St. Joseph. He was holding a city-wide revival there. I attended College of Marshal in fall of '42. In 1942 Dad became pastor of First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Texas. I met Dr. Truett again in his office in late 42 or early '43 to deliver issues of College & Journey Service. He said I should stay in school and marry Betty. I struggle with that decision of school or service – stayed ready for both – my name never came up in the draft, although I had volunteered. I attended Dr. Truett's funeral in 1944 with Mom and Dad at the First Baptist Church in Dallas. In June of 1944 I received A.A. degree from the College of Marshall – a Junior College then. On July 19, 1944, Betty and I married in New London, Texas, First Baptist Church. She was 18 and I was 20 – Dad had to sign a release because I was not 21,which was the minimum age at the time. We went to Dallas for our honeymoon –in a 1931 Chevy! We attended College of Marshall in 1944, as it had become a 4 year school. In fall of 1945 and 1946 we moved to Waco and attended Baylor University. In 1947 we moved to Fort Worth and I became pastor of the Galvez Street Mission. Later we organized the mission into a church, the Immanuel Baptist Church and it has done well as a church. Beverly was born there in Harris Methodist Hospital on October 23, 1946. I received a B. A. degree from Texas Christian University. In early 1949 we moved to Highlands Texas where I became pastor of Second Baptist Church. Joe was born November 27, 1949 at the Baptist Hospital in Houston. Perhaps I should review churches I served. While a student at C.O.M. my first pastorate was the Lanier Baptist Church just outside Jefferson where Dad was pastor. Other churches: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church near Mount Pleasant, Texas; New Hopewell Baptist Church at Gilmer, Texas; and a mission of First Baptist Church of Longview, Texas. At Baylor I was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Milano, Texas, near Rockdale. From there we went to Fort Worth in1949 – to Galvez Street Mission, which we organized it into Immanuel Baptist Church. From Second Baptist in Highlands we went to the University Park Baptist Church of San Antonio in 1950 to 1952.In 1952 I felt led to accept a position as Superintendent of Bethesda Home in San Antonio, a unit of Buckner Orphans Home. We cared for unwed mothers and adoption services it was a small home, about 13 or 14 girls at a time. In 1953 to1955 I attended school for Social Work at The Lady of the Lake University. I graduated in 1955 with a Master of Social Work. About this time Dr. Webb of the First Baptist Church asked me to become his assistant – Betty continued to operate the Bethesda Home as she had most of the time we had been there. (I had been in school.)The time with Dr. Webb at First Baptist Church was one of great joy. We thought we had it made – but other things happened. Dr. Ellis Cornett, President of Buckner Orphans Home asked me to come to Dallas to develop a social service program for the orphan's home. At the time there were
650 children living there. It was a self-contained system with its own church and school system and football team. It was a difficult decision. We loved the work, the church, and San Antonio –James and John were born there, '54 for John and '56 for James. We moved to Dallas in the summer of '57 and I became the first social worker in the history of the home Betty worked also. We bought the home at 1936 Peavy Road and moved to 2310 Chart in 1970.Betty finished her college degree at East Texas State University (it is now a part of Texas A & M, which makes her an "Aggie".) After working for Buckner as a Social Worker for 15 years she became a schoolteacher for the next 15 years and retired in 1988, later returning for two more years. She received many hours for her teaching and classroom management. I retired from Buckner in 1990. I served there for 37 years. Together Betty and I set up a social service program for the home of 560 children. We started a foster home program and a Mothers aid program. We continued our work in adoption. We built a maternity home here in Dallas and involved in extending their services to other Buckner units and developed a state-wide child care service of residential care, foster care and adoption – over the 37 years at Buckner we placed over 3,000 children for adoption. For ten years after retirement I volunteered for the American Cancer Society, Old City Park, and Presbyterian Hospital.
Comments from Bill's Brother Truett:
My brother is a very special person to me he was more of a father to me growing up than my own father, who was always away to church activities. Bill taught me how to ride a bicycle, throw a ball and so many other things. He gave me the opportunity to leave the pastoral ministry and excel in social work. He was my first social work supervisor, which lasted nine years. I can't remember our ever having conflict. He is the best man I have ever known.
I was born in Bolivar, Missouri on June 13, 1924, to Wynonna Nell Graves Baker and William Dewey Baker. Dad was a student at Southwest Baptist College. Dad was pastor of First Baptist Church at Waynesville, Missouri. We moved to Waynesville in 1927 and returned to Bolivar a year later. In the early '30s's we moved to St. Joseph, Missouri were Dad was district missionary to northwest Missouri. I entered 1st grade at Eugene Field School. Truett was born there in 1934.We returned to Bolivar. Dad was employed by Southwest Baptist College to raise funds for the college. I attended 5th and 6th grade. In 1936 we moved to Iola, Kansas, where Dad was pastor of the Baptist Temple – a Northern Baptist church. I lettered in high school football two years. Dad had a terrible auto wreck in 1939. In1941 we moved to Springfield, Missouri. Dad was pastor of Pythian Avenue Baptist Church. I lettered in football and graduated from high school there. I accepted a call from the Lord for special service there when I was 18. Dad took me to San Antonio for Southern Baptist Convention. There we met again with Dr. George W. Truett. I failed to mention when I was 9 I accepted Christ as my Savior, when Dr. Truett led a service for Junior Department First Baptist Church St. Joseph. He was holding a city-wide revival there. I attended College of Marshal in fall of '42. In 1942 Dad became pastor of First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Texas. I met Dr. Truett again in his office in late 42 or early '43 to deliver issues of College & Journey Service. He said I should stay in school and marry Betty. I struggle with that decision of school or service – stayed ready for both – my name never came up in the draft, although I had volunteered. I attended Dr. Truett's funeral in 1944 with Mom and Dad at the First Baptist Church in Dallas. In June of 1944 I received A.A. degree from the College of Marshall – a Junior College then. On July 19, 1944, Betty and I married in New London, Texas, First Baptist Church. She was 18 and I was 20 – Dad had to sign a release because I was not 21,which was the minimum age at the time. We went to Dallas for our honeymoon –in a 1931 Chevy! We attended College of Marshall in 1944, as it had become a 4 year school. In fall of 1945 and 1946 we moved to Waco and attended Baylor University. In 1947 we moved to Fort Worth and I became pastor of the Galvez Street Mission. Later we organized the mission into a church, the Immanuel Baptist Church and it has done well as a church. Beverly was born there in Harris Methodist Hospital on October 23, 1946. I received a B. A. degree from Texas Christian University. In early 1949 we moved to Highlands Texas where I became pastor of Second Baptist Church. Joe was born November 27, 1949 at the Baptist Hospital in Houston. Perhaps I should review churches I served. While a student at C.O.M. my first pastorate was the Lanier Baptist Church just outside Jefferson where Dad was pastor. Other churches: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church near Mount Pleasant, Texas; New Hopewell Baptist Church at Gilmer, Texas; and a mission of First Baptist Church of Longview, Texas. At Baylor I was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Milano, Texas, near Rockdale. From there we went to Fort Worth in1949 – to Galvez Street Mission, which we organized it into Immanuel Baptist Church. From Second Baptist in Highlands we went to the University Park Baptist Church of San Antonio in 1950 to 1952.In 1952 I felt led to accept a position as Superintendent of Bethesda Home in San Antonio, a unit of Buckner Orphans Home. We cared for unwed mothers and adoption services it was a small home, about 13 or 14 girls at a time. In 1953 to1955 I attended school for Social Work at The Lady of the Lake University. I graduated in 1955 with a Master of Social Work. About this time Dr. Webb of the First Baptist Church asked me to become his assistant – Betty continued to operate the Bethesda Home as she had most of the time we had been there. (I had been in school.)The time with Dr. Webb at First Baptist Church was one of great joy. We thought we had it made – but other things happened. Dr. Ellis Cornett, President of Buckner Orphans Home asked me to come to Dallas to develop a social service program for the orphan's home. At the time there were
650 children living there. It was a self-contained system with its own church and school system and football team. It was a difficult decision. We loved the work, the church, and San Antonio –James and John were born there, '54 for John and '56 for James. We moved to Dallas in the summer of '57 and I became the first social worker in the history of the home Betty worked also. We bought the home at 1936 Peavy Road and moved to 2310 Chart in 1970.Betty finished her college degree at East Texas State University (it is now a part of Texas A & M, which makes her an "Aggie".) After working for Buckner as a Social Worker for 15 years she became a schoolteacher for the next 15 years and retired in 1988, later returning for two more years. She received many hours for her teaching and classroom management. I retired from Buckner in 1990. I served there for 37 years. Together Betty and I set up a social service program for the home of 560 children. We started a foster home program and a Mothers aid program. We continued our work in adoption. We built a maternity home here in Dallas and involved in extending their services to other Buckner units and developed a state-wide child care service of residential care, foster care and adoption – over the 37 years at Buckner we placed over 3,000 children for adoption. For ten years after retirement I volunteered for the American Cancer Society, Old City Park, and Presbyterian Hospital.
Comments from Bill's Brother Truett:
My brother is a very special person to me he was more of a father to me growing up than my own father, who was always away to church activities. Bill taught me how to ride a bicycle, throw a ball and so many other things. He gave me the opportunity to leave the pastoral ministry and excel in social work. He was my first social work supervisor, which lasted nine years. I can't remember our ever having conflict. He is the best man I have ever known.
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