3:01pm | William “Bill” Baker, who has sat on the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors since 1999 and served as its chair since 2008, his died at the age of 85.
Baker passed Sunday night in the hospital. His death was confirmed by RDA Executive Director Amy Bodek during Monday’s RDA board meeting. She said that Baker had been hospitalized since February.
The meeting was dedicated in Baker’s memory.
The exact cause of death is not yet known.
“I’m deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Bill Baker,” said Mayor Bob Foster in a statement. “Bill had great love for Long Beach and its residents. He will be remembered for his hard work and the many years he dedicated to Long Beach to make this a better city.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Bill’s family and friends at this sad time.”
Born and raised in Long Beach, Baker was active in the community and served on various city committees and commissions over the last nearly 50 years, according to a short biography found at LongBeachRDA.org.
He was also known for his work with the Boy Scouts.
He graduated from Jordan High School and served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. Upon his return home to Long Beach, he married and had two children.
Baker was a 60-year member of the Building and Trades Union. In 1955, he and his partners started Besteel Co., which fabricated structural steel and metal buildings. The company eventually expanded nationally, with additional plants in Texas and South Carolina, according to the bio.
Up until his hospitalization earlier this year, Baker had resided his entire life in the same house he purchased back in 1948, according to the bio.