Willis Dean Baker, the son of Samuel L. and Jessie I. Fail Baker was born September 19, 1937 in Page County, Iowa. He passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital, Council Bluffs, Iowa at the age of 74 years and 23 days. Willis lived in the Page and Montgomery County area, graduating with the Villisca High School class of 1956. He entered the Iowa Army National Guard, Red Bull Division, Co "C" 2nd Bn 168th Infantry of Villisca on December 15, 1954. He was activated to federal service during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was discharged on July 1, 1964. Willis was united in marriage to Regina L. "Jean" Ellis on October 28, 1956 in Villisca. Totaling 21 years, Willis was a meat cutter in Nodaway for Raymond Spring & Veryl Ellis and Villisca locker and HVAC for Eldon Mikesell. Later, Willis worked for Oakland packing house. In 1984, Willis began an 18 year career with RO MECH in Red Oak as maintenance supervisor, retiring in 2002. Willis loved baseball and played for the Nodaway town team along with helping coach little league. Willis was a member of the Villisca Advent Christian Church, Iroquois #590 Masonic Lodge of Nodaway being initiated April 4, 1967, Southwest Iowa Senior Golf Association and past Nodaway Volunteer Fire Department. Willis was a devoted Iowa Hawkeye and Dallas Cowboy's football fan. In his spare time, Willis enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, shooting and playing the lottery. He was an excellent woodworker and loved refinishing furniture. Willis was an avid reader of Western books and was always keeping up on current events. He had a love affair, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for D & L, RO MECH and its employees and products up until his passing. Willis was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Albert and Don; sister, Dorothy and other infant siblings. Willis is survived by his wife, Regina "Jean" Baker of Red Oak, IA; sons: Jerry Baker and wife Rhonda of Red Oak, IA; Mike Baker and wife Michelle of Arlington, NE; and Brad Baker of Red Oak, IA; 4 grandchildren: Zoey & Macy Baker, Tyler Baker and wife Sara, and Trey Baker; sisters: Evelyn Salway of Villisca, IA and Sharon Farlin of Emerson, IA; nieces and nephews, along with other relatives and friends. May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn. Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, October 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home, Red Oak, Iowa Burial in Villisca Cemetery, Villisca, IA Rev. Gordon Scott, Officiating Masonic service will be held at the graveside. A memorial is being established in Willis's name. Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.