Obituaries

Accused Child Molester and Former County Supervisor Dead: Harry Baker (87)

FRESNO - Accused child molester and former Madera County Supervisor Harry Baker, died early Friday morning at the age of 87. Last month he suffered an ischemic stroke while in custody at the Fresno County Jail where he has been housed since September 24, 2014 awaiting trial.

Last week Baker's attorney, Roger Nuttall, said the trial was unlikely to occur since Baker was in grave condition. Baker's death proves to be the final delay in bringing the 2009 case to trial where the founder of Sierra Tel Internet was accused of committing a lewd act with a 13 year old girl in a Fresno motel in 2007. The trial has been delayed multiple times due to health problems, such as open-heart surgery and a tracheotomy.

Lorraine Price (89)

Lorraine Price (89) passed away on Friday, March 20, 2015. Lorraine was born in Livingston, CA and a resident of Madera for 52 years. She was the Co-owner of Prices Gift & Gourmet in Madera. Lorraine and her husband Sam enjoyed traveling in their Motor home.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, former Madera mayor Samuel Price, her daughter Madeline Litrell and her daughter-in-law, Lynda Price. Lorraine is survived by her son, Tom Price of Madera, her sister-in-law Marilyn Price of Visalia, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Bruce Townsend (74)

Bruce Allen Townsend (74) a long time Madera Educator passed from this life on Monday, March 9, 2015 at St. Agnes Medical Center following a 12 year heroic battle with leukemia. Bruce, 74, was born in Buffalo, New York and later moved to Southern California with his family where he graduated from Glendale High School.

Bruce attended the University of California at Berkeley where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History and teaching credential. Moving to Madera Bruce began his career with the Madera Unified School District, teaching at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Furman High School also Home Schooling for children with medical conditions who were unable to attend regular school. Retiring in 2003, following 30 years with the District.

Owner of Adams Auto Electric Dies at 99: William Adams

William LaVern Adams (99), a native of Fresno, CA and a resident of Madera, CA for 65 years passed away, Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at Country Villa, Madera. He was an owner and operator of Adams Auto Electric from 1954 to 2001. William was a veteran of the U.S. Army, Pacific Island in a tank destroyer battalion during WWII.

He was a faithful follower of the Warbirds and other airplanes. William also made his living as a musician playing guitar with various orchestras' in his early days. He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather and cherished his time he spent with his family.

Mildred M. Houlding (92)

Mrs. Mildred M. Houlding, 92 passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at home with her loving family at her side. Mildred was born in Schriever Louisiana, on July 16, 1922, to parents Ourestile and Ida (Boudreaux) Sonier.

After graduation from high school, Mildred moved to New Orleans where she lived and worked in the textile industry. In 1941, through a mutual friend, Mildred was introduced to Bob Houlding. Shortly after the introduction, World War II broke out and Bob was shipped out to March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA. Lillian Jackalord (known as Auntie) and Mildred drove Bob's car to California. On April 9, 1942, Bob Houlding married Mildred.