George “Bill” Baier, 89-1/2 of Indianapolis

Little did anyone know that when Bill took a nap before dinner on Tuesday, June 27th that he would wake up in heaven having dinner with Jesus.  Bill recently moved into Clearvista Lake Assisted Living as his bladder cancer took its tole.

Bill was the son of George and Edna Pearl Baier and grew up in Beach Grove, Indiana.  He is survived by his brother Chuck Baier of Mooresville, Indiana, and his two sons, Bill Baier of Indianapolis and Jerry Baier of Nebraska.  He was very proud of his two sons.  Bill was also thankful for his nephew Ron Baier who took him to visit his brother Chuck often.

After Bill’s dad died of black lung disease, “Pop” Messling stepped in and became a big influence in his career as a mechanic and who he became as an adult.  “Pop” gave him a job sweeping his service station and mentored him in mechanics. 

Bill was a Veteran of WWII.  It was at boot camp that he came close to being marked AWOL when they kept calling “George Baier” during role call.  That is the first time he was ever called “George Baier”.  He said they were trained to read the bulletin board every day.  That was where he discovered his mechanic abilities were recognized and he was being sent for a 12 week mechanic school in Aberdeen Maryland where he graduated with honors.  He ended his military career as a T4 with Hq&Sv Co., 5th Engineer Combat Battalion, Ft Lewis, Washington.   After returning home after the war was over, Bill started his own Gulf Service Station on the corner of Lynhurst and Vermont in Indianapolis.

As the need for service stations declined, Bill sold his service station and drove truck for Roselyn Bakery where he retired as a working route manager.  Not knowing how to retire, he drove part time for Cleveland Plant Flower Company delivering wholesale flowers to florists around the state.  Following the closure of that job, he drove as a currier for Bank One.

Bill loved helping others.  He always weighed the good with the bad and decided to always see  the good in people as life was too short for anything else.  He had a great laugh….and a big bear hug.  He appreciated everyone who helped him.  In the few short weeks at Clearvista Lake Assisted Living, he made some great friends who loved to hear his stories of days gone by….when his body allowed him to do what he loved…..work on cars….. and help others….

Bill’isms: 

Naps were just “taking a break”
There were definite things in life that were just “a man thing” or “a woman thing” because that is how God created us with our individual strengths and weaknesses working together.
Life was hard…. “but I did it myself”
“I’m just plain old Bill”
He worked very hard at telling everyone up to the day that he died that “I’m OK, I don’t need a thing; everyone is just beautiful and very special.”

Bill, I look forward to seeing you in heaven.  Love you.

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