Bill Baize, an American Gospel Singer

Bill Baize passed away on May 15, 2023 at the age of 83. He was laid to rest with full military honors at 1:30 PM on May 24, 2023 at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, in Fort Gibson Oklahoma surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Dorcas Baize, daughter Susan Hoff (Stuart), grandsons Mathew and Mark, and sister Barbara Crandall.

Bill has been called "one of the greatest tenor singers of our day." The late Elvis Presley once said of Bill "He has one of the most splendid voices in the world." During his life, Bill spent many years as a professional singer sharing the spotlight with some of the world's greatest entertainers and has won many accolades. These are nice and when taken in their proper perspective, pay tribute to a man of great talents. But the most important one that supersedes all others is that Bill was a man of God, called to sing and preach the Word to a lost and dying world. His ministry of music and preaching was divinely inspired and anointed by the Holy Spirit.

Bill, an ordained minister, spent his life singing for the Lord. He was a part of such gospel groups as the Echoes of Calvary, the Illinoisans, the Trailsmen Quartet, and the Smitty Gatlin Singers. He then joined the Stamps quartet who took the gospel to the world through their highly respected spot with the late Elvis Presley. From the stages in Las Vegas, to the largest auditoriums in the big cities of America, to the small concert and church pulpits, Bill has faithfully lifted his voice in song.

At the peak of his professional career with the Stamps- a peak many professional singers work for but few attain- God spoke to Bill's heart, revealing a new plan and purpose for his life. Bill was called into the ministry. In 1976 he resigned his lucrative position with the Stamps Quartet and answered the call. He lived to lift Christ in song and by preaching the Word to see precious souls saved under this new ministry of evangelism.

His Lord said to him "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord." Matthew 25:21 NKJV