William "Fred" Frederick Baxter Jr.

William Frederick (Fred) Baxter, Jr, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025 at his home in Prosser, WA. He was 90 years young.

Fred was born to parents William Frederick Baxter, Sr and Agnes Bernice on August 23, 1934 in Los Angeles, CA.  Fred Sr. was a commercial pilot and the family was living in Lima, Peru when Fred’s brother, Edward, was born in 1938.

When Fred was in his late teens and the family was living in Long Beach, CA, he attended Long Beach City College where he earned his Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

In the fall of 1955, Fred met Arleen Catterall on a blind date and on June 8, 1957 they were married in Long Beach, CA. He was in the Army stationed in San Francisco when their son Mike was born in 1959, just weeks before Fred was discharged. Daughter Linda was born in 1962 while the couple was still living in Long Beach.

As an engineer, Fred worked for many years for the aerospace firm McDonnell-Douglas in Long Beach.  During his time with them, he was involved in multiple NASA programs, including the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. As the Apollo program was drawing to a close, Fred moved his family to middle Tennessee, where he commuted daily to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL to work in NASA’s SkyLab program.  SkyLab was the first space station launched by the United States, preceding the International Space Station by 20 years. When the SkyLab program ended, Fred moved his family to Prosser, WA where he worked for Westinghouse Hanford, primarily on the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, until his retirement in the early 80’s

 Fred and Arleen took full advantage of his retirement, spending their days camping, fishing, traveling and going to casinos. After Arleen passed away in 2012, Fred spent a great deal of time volunteering for the Alzheimer’s Association, visiting numerous patients to keep them company.

Fred is survived by son Mike Baxter of Prosser, WA, daughter Linda Watson of Benton City, WA, grandchildren Neil Parker of Kennewick, WA, Julie Grove of Richland, WA, and great-grandchildren Alice Grove and Lane and Lola Parker. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Arleen, his parents William Frederick Baxter, Sr and Agnes Bernice, and his brother Edward.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be given to Lower Valley Hospice. 

Viewing and Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025 from 8:30 am to 11:00 am with Funeral Services starting at 11:00 am all at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside, WA. Burial with Military Honors will follow at East Prosser Cemetery in Prosser, WA. Those wishing to sign Fred’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements

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