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UPDATED: Man dies following motorcycle accident on Scuffletown Road in Corbin Monday
Posted On 07 Feb 2011
A local man died as a result of a motorcycle crash in Corbin Monday afternoon, and friends are remembering him as a caring father who called Corbin his "second home."
According to Corbin Police, 55-year-old William Baker was riding a 1998 Harley-Davidson motorcycle north on Scuffletown Road, heading toward Fifth Street Road, at the time of the accident. He lost control of the motorcycle and struck a utility pole, snapping it, and also hit a tree.
Baker was intertwined, for a time, in various utility lines and could not be immediately assisted by emergency service personnel. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley.
Baker was a native of of Lake Forest, IL, a suburb of Chicago. He moved to Kentucky, friends say, because it was a halfway point between his hometown and remaining living family who reside in Florida.
Jimmy Woodward, a local construction worker who co-founded Tri-County Home Improvement with Baker, called the accident "tragic" and said it had a deep emotional impact on Baker’s friends.
"He was my best friend in the world," Woodward said. "He was a great guy. I don’t know what else to say about him. He was rough around the edges, but if you ever got to know Bill you knew he was a good person."
Woodward said Baker had a soft spot in his heart for children and the elderly, often giving monetarily to causes and charities that focused on problems associated with those groups.
"What folks don’t know about him was that he was a great philanthropist. He gave money all the time to things. There was no way he could watch one of those telethons on TV and not start crying and give some money to help. That’s just how he was," Woodward said.
Baker was the primary maintenance man for Hillside Apartments in Corbin. He was also a talented tattoo artist and specilized in body piercing for a side business he owned called Portable Pain.
In his main profession, construction and home repair, Baker was often known as being meticulous and detail oriented. He was also a single father and raised two daughters.
The accident in which Baker died happened around 4:05 pm. The incident remains under investigation. Corbin Police Officer Jim Miller is investigating the crash. Authorities say alcohol and speed are possible factors.
Woodward said Baker has no local family and added that his funeral would likely be conducted in Chicago. He said Baker’s friends locally are planning a memorial service to celebrate his life.
See Wednesday’s print edition of The News Journal for more details.
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R.I.P. BROTHER i did not no u but i have family in corbin my father saw u riding ur bike that day so sad then he saw the news u had died so sorry r.i.p. my brother ,,, as i am a fellow biker i ride a 91 heritage my joy in life,… RIDE ON IN THE BIG SKY BROTHER …..
When I moved to Corbin 6 yrs. ago, I knew no one. I lived next door to Bill. We became friends and remained friends till the day he died. Thats the kind of person he was, a true friend. Rest in Peace My friend You will be missed
r.i.p bill my thought and prayers go out to ur family u are a truly angel you will always be missed
Ro will never ever forget ya Bill! U were truly an angel in life and now will be in your afterlife. They took you too soon my friend… guess they had their reasons, but I will truly miss you Baby! Every time I get on a Harley, gonna look up above and know U will be looking down laughing cuz I prefer the horses vs hogs. : -) You always had a way to brighten my day and life for that matter! RIDE ON MY MAN! MLAR Luv Ro! 🙂 ~MUAH~
Ro will never ever forget ya Bill! U were truly an angel in life and now will be in your afterlife. They took you too soon my friend… guess they had their reasons, but I will truly miss you Baby! Every time I get on a Harley, gonna look up above and know U will be looking down laughing cuz I prefer the horses vs hogs. : -) You always had a way to brighten my day and life for that matter! RIDE ON MY MAN! MLAR Luv Ro! 🙂 ~MUAH~
Bill,
You were a big part of my life I will miss you and pray for your girls. There are a lot of people missing that smile on your face right now. I will always remember how much joy we had and all the laughter. I will wear my tats for life knowing I have a little bit of you with me. RIP Pack A Party.
To most people you were Bill.. to me you were Pain.. Portable pain. Now I know why you chose that name, my heart feels the pain of your passing. I love ya darlen, Chase those angels around.. but be good 🙂 Their angels
Bill, Im gonna miss you. You were and always will be a good friend even though we only talked online. You will be sadly missed my friend. God bless you and your family. (C4)
You are loved and will be missed…RIP. Wish I could be at your service but I will be out of town. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Great memories, my friend!
They don’t make many like Billy. He was the best. You were always glad that he was there. He made you feel good, feel protected. He was a bit larger than life. Large voice, large laugh, large heart. Gosh. The world will miss everything that Billy Baker brought to it!
He did work for me at my house on several occassions and always did a great job. I will miss Bill.
NOW YOU ARE WITH YOU DAD AND SISTER BILL..WE WILL MISS YOU HERE ON EARTH BUT GOD WANTED YOU THERE WITH HIM..YOU WILL BE MISSED..HE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON A WONDERFUL FREIND..WE LOVE YOU BILL BAKER
BILL BAKER WAS A REALLY GOOD FRIEND TO ALL, REST IN PEACE!! ENJOY RIDING THAT BIKE IN THE SKY, U WILL BE MISSED !!