Billy Alex Baker

Retired NC State Highway Patrol Captain Billy A. Baker, Sr, 90, died January 6, 2024, at Forsyth Medical Center Palliative Care. He was born April 15, 1933, in Zebulon, NC to the late Alex and Rebecca Pierce Baker.

After graduating from Bunn High School in 1951 Billy joined the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean Conflict as a Flying Medic based in Germany. After his honorable discharge he was accepted to the 23rd Basic Training School of the NC State Highway Patrol. Billy's first duty station was LaGrange followed by service in Winston-Salem, Whiteville, Raleigh and Salisbury. In 1988, after 33 years of service, he retired having earned the rank of Captain.

After his retirement Billy and his wife Nell made their home in Winston-Salem. Together they enjoyed organizing group tours of the US and Europe. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing golf and following ACC basketball and football and the Atlanta Braves. He was a Wake Forest fan and he and Nell served for several years as Tour Directors for the Wake Forest Deacon Club. Billy was a member of College Park Baptist Church and the Shepherd Sunday School Class which he dearly enjoyed as long as his health would permit. He was a Mason and an endowed member of Piedmont Pioneer Lodge, now consolidated with Salem Lodge #289. In 1983 The Order of The Long Leaf Pine was awarded to him by Gov. Jim Hunt. Billy was a member of the NCHP Retiree’s Association, serving as its President in 1994, and the NC Retired Peace Officers Association. He will be remembered for his love of the Lord, his family and his willingness to serve as well as his political humor.

In addition to his parents, Billy is preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife, Nell; sons Billy, Jr. (Alice) and Michael (Mary Anne); a granddaughter Sharon Mammano (Jeremy); great-grandson Levi; stepchildren Penny and Mark Craver (Cherie); and a sister, Jane Ferrell, of Wake Forest, NC.

Captain Baker will lie in state on Friday, January 12th, from 11 am until 8 pm at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home on Silas Creek Parkway. A funeral service will be held at College Park Baptist Church on Saturday, January 13th, at 12:00 noon with the Rev. Ramon Smith officiating with the NC State Highway Patrol Honor Guard. Following the service, the family will receive friends at a reception in Smith Hall at the church. There will be a private burial with Masonic Rites at Westlawn Garden of Memory in Clemmons.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565 or College Park Baptist Church, 1701 Polo Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com