Mr. Billy Gene Baker

Billy Gene Baker, who never lost his positive attitude or sense of humor, died Monday, July 28, 2014 at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset. He was 69. For Billy, the greatest times were spent looking at all the show cars parked downtown during Somernites Cruise, and showing off his own entries. Donning a Panama hat with a feather tucked in the brim, he loved to catch up with friends and family and discuss the superiority of Ford Mustangs. Born April 24, 1945 in Hail, Ky., Billy was the son of the late William and Lillie (Dykes) Baker. He spent the bulk of his career at GMC Truck & Coach in Pontiac, Mich., but his heart remained in Kentucky. In 1982, he moved his family back to Somerset, where he nearly single-handedly built his own home. He was a master craftsman with a keen attention to detail. He taught this ethic to his three children and, later, was a beloved Pap who loved to spend time down by the creek, share ice cream, shoot arrows and watch baseball with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings. Survivors include his wife of 49 years Linda; daughters Teresa Clough (Scott) of Lancaster, Ky., and Leah Cohenour of Lexington; son William Baker (Tara) of Somerset; grandchildren Eric and Reece Clough, Gabrielle Baker and Kennedy Cohenour; and sisters Dorothy Eads, Shirley Turpin and Carrie Mounce. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2 at Pulaski Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Somerset Cemetery. Visitation will be observed on Friday, Aug. 1, 2014 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Pulaski Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Lake Cumberland, where he was dutifully cared for in his final days, or to the Pulaski County Humane Society. Pallbearers will be Dr. William Baker, Eric Clough, Scott Clough, Reece Clough, Art Cohenour, Dr. Sean DeLair, Michael Eads, Jordan Kuhnapfel and Roy Lange.