Remembering Bill Baker

Submitted by Stephen Villante and Tom Farrand

In June of 2012, seven holes of what was once a 27-hole golf course were transformed into what is today known as Bill Baker Park. Since that time many new families have moved to Rose Hill, and while they all enjoy the peaceful serenity of the park, many don’t know the history of the man after whom the park is named.

Bill Baker was born and raised in Blanket, Texas, a real life cowboy who herded cattle and loved the outdoor life. He served during the Korean war in the army’s artillery unit and upon leaving, moved to Pennsylvania where for 30 years he worked at Bethlehem Steel. It was there at a community dance, he met his future bride, Evelyn.

Upon moving to Rose Hill, Bill quickly got involved in the dayto-day operations and in 1996 was nominated our first POA president. If a pipe needed to be replaced, he was the first to volunteer and enlist the help of others. And if the funds weren’t available to rent heavy equipment, they would use shovels and wheelbarrows to get the job done.

Originally the golf course was owned by PBBM, a company out of Texas. They closed the course in January of 2006 and later that year declared bankruptcy. It was during that time the POA decided to negotiate for the purchase of the course, while simultaneously protecting the land, by placing it in the Conservation Easement Program. This gave Rose Hill protection donations from residents and working with Estate Management to treat the lagoons, which we depend on for drainage.

When Rose Hill was first developed much of the local wildlife was displaced from their natural habitat. Uninvited snakes and other critters would invite themselves into the new homes. On more than one occasion, Bill, being “the cowboy” he was known as, would get a call from a frantic neighbor to rid the pesty critters. Legend has it that he and his .22 caliber six-shooter resolved these issues quickly. But that was Bill, a neighbor who could always be counted on to help those in need… to fix a drainage pipe, build a dam or be out on his riding mower cutting the grass of an abandoned golf course. In 2012, the residents of Rose Hill overwhelmingly voted to honor the man who for over twenty-six years contributed his time and energy to Rose Hill.

The next time you’re in the park enjoying its peaceful serenity, take a moment to remember Bill Baker and all the others who