Memorial Service for William Ruben Bennett Baker, 79, of Brookport, IL, will be Friday, 11:00 a.m., at First Liberty Missionary Baptist Church in Paducah. Reverend Charles W. Russell will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Bethel Cemetery of Brookport, IL.

Friends may also call at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour.

He died Sunday, 3:50 p.m., at Western Baptist Hospital.

Mr. Baker was a member of First Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. He was first employed by the Massac County Sheriff Department and later transferred to the Brookport, IL, Police Department where he retired as Police Sergeant after 19 years of service.

He is survived by two daughters, Brenda Harden of Broadview, IL, Diana Baker of Los Angeles, CA, three step-daughters; Mary Blanton-Turley of Gurnee, IL, Freda Phelps and Veronica Draw both of Paducah; two step-sons, Edgar Martin of Brookport, IL and Isaac Martin of Metropolis, IL.; one brother, John W. Baker of Maywood, IL,; four sisters, Mary Lee Rowe, Downers Grove, IL, Janie E. Reedy and Margaret Furman, both of Louisville, and Sarah B. Mudd of Chicago, IL; a grandson, 18 step- Grandchildren; thirty step-Great-Grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Freda Mae Baker; his parents Frank and Ida Baker Montgomery and two brothers.

Pettus-Rowland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.