WILLARD BAXTER

Willard Baxter, Jr., age 71 of 3738 Anglin Drive, Gainesville, GA 30507 passed away at home Monday June 28, 2004. Mr. Baxter was the son of the late Ellis Willard Baxter Sr., and Thelma Stevens Baxter.

Rev. Baxter was born in Harralson County, Georgia but made his home in Hall County. Mr. Baxter was ordained a Baptist Minister at the age of 19. Rev. Baxter graduated from Mercer University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, North Carolina Baptist Hospital School of Pastoral Care, and was Assistant Administrator at the Georgia Baptist Children's Home. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy after which he served for 17 years as bi-vocational Pastor and Law Enforcement Officer in Gwinnett and Hall Counties. Among the churches he served as pastor include, Belmont Baptist Church, Gainesville, GA and Bethel Baptist Church, Bethlehem, GA, and Pastor and Pastor Emeritus at Lakewood Baptist Church Gainesville, GA. He was a master woodturner and held a host of Baptist affiliated denominational positions. He was a member of Johnnie's Hill Masonic Lodge.