William Wilkins Baker, Iii

William Wilkins Baker III, 75, died peacefully at home on February 12, 2025, to join his beloved wife Sarah twenty-four days after her passing. His twin daughters were at his side.

Bill was born May 19, 1949, in Savannah, Georgia to William Wilkins Baker, jr. and Margaret AIine Davidson Baker. He graduated from Esill High School and studied at Brewton-Parker College where he was the top-seeded player on the tennis team and Baptist College (now Charleston Southern University).  Bill was a lifelong resident of Estill, a town that he loved. He cherished his childhood there with his sisters, Jennie and Mary, and cousins Carson, David, Broughton, and Peggy. He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends in Bluffton, Redland Plantation, Albemarle, and Edisto. Bill was the third-generation business owner of Baker Furniture Co. and was a successful salesman throughout his life.

Bill met his treasured wife Sarah Bates Earnhardt through his sister Mary and fell madly in love after their first date of a lively tennis game.  They were married within the year.  Bill and Sarah built their forever home where they spent seven years enjoying marriage before they were blessed with twin daughters, Gwynn and Megan.

Bill adored his daughters and delighted in teaching them how to do anything and everything.  He taught them to hunt, fish, shrimp, crab, drive a boat, and back up a trailer, as well or better than any man could.

During his life, Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing with his many lifelong friends.  He loved to recall stories: of hunting trips where he and his crew may have had too much fun in the airport, of almost getting struck by lightning while fishing, and of how well his bird dogs would obey his command. Bill relished hearing his girls remember sitting on the "Blue Blazer's" raised back seats while on a quail hunt at Redland Plantation. He and Sarah would always look forward to their long weeks with "Big Chill" and the short but exciting hunting season in North Carolina.

Bill was a faithful servant to Estill Presbyterian Church.  He served as an Elder several times.  Both he and Sarah were proud and loyal members. It was his honor to walk both of his daughters down the aisle to be married at the church where they grew up.

Bill is survived by his daughters Gwynn Davidson Baker Yocco (Stan) of Bluffton and Megan Lamson Baker Congleton (Sean) of Ridgeland, his sisters Jennie Margaret Baker Smith (Dick) of Bluffton, Mary Aline Baker (Peggy) of Hilton Head, and brother-in-law, John Jerry Earnhardt, jr. (Angie) of Albemarle and his grandchildren, Morgan Elizabeth Congleton, Emma Baynes Congleton, William Andrew Yocco, William (Worth) Elsworth Congleton, and Charles Wyatt Yocco, and a multitude of loving nieces and nephews.

A joint celebration of Bill and Sarah Baker's lives will be held on Saturday, February 15 at Estill Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM.  Following the service, the family will receive guests at their house for an oyster roast. Please send any charitable donation to Estill Presbyterian Church.  Per Sarah's request, please wear bright colors in celebration.