William Joseph Baker “Billy”, born January 26, 1948 and completed his journey on July 27, 2024 peacefully at home in his beloved hometown of South Boston. Billy was a founder and only president of South Boston Youth Soccer League for 35 years, and the proprietor of Adams Sports and Baker’s Corner Store. Billy never let the truth get in the way of a good story. He loved Southie and Castle Island, kids and dogs, Oreos and Pepsi. But his greatest loves were the members of his family. Left behind to miss groaning at his dad jokes, told in his genuine Boston accent, are his wife of 49 years, Rachel (Junco); his cherished sons and their wives: Billy & Lori of Essex, MA, and Jack & Kristin of El Segundo, CA; and his four adored grandsons: Charlie, Max, Ben & Jake.
Extended family members left with many fond and funny memories will be his Kineavy nieces/nephews: Michael (Eileen), Kerry (Sean/Patrick), Patrick (Joanna), and Catherine (Robert); his Baker nephews: Richie and Brendan; the Hubbards: Maria, Tom, Tommy/Jenny, (Brooke, Jack), Michael/Melissa, (Grady, Lauren, Nolan); and the Juncos: Tom, Colleen/Graham Page, (Henry, Luke), Kristina, Naz, Quinn and Amanda. Also his Southie best friends and their families: Peter & Doreen Finnegan, Dan & Carol Leonard, Coley Connolly, Jimmy & Maureen Cahill.
The angels waiting at the front of the line to welcome Billy to the other side will be his treasured mother Catherine (Kay) Baker, and sister Ann Kineavy, along with his brother Richie and the many other beloved family members, in-laws, friends, and dogs that have gone before him.
The Baker family wishes to thank the many providers at Mass General and Care Dimensions that helped extend Billy’s time here with us. Billy has donated his brain tissue to Boston University’s UNITE/CTE foundation. A celebration of life will take place at a later date to honor Billy.