William "Bill" G. Baldwin

William G. “Bill” Baldwin, age 84, a well-known business man of Columbia, passed away Monday morning, October 1, 2018 at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care after a short illness.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 6PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Pastor Angy Trimmer officiating. A visitation will also be held on Thursday from 3-6PM at the funeral home. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Glenwood Cemetery. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on June 20, 1934 in Chillicothe, Missouri, Bill was the son of the late Lester and Della Baldwin. He left home at an early age and moved to Louisiana where he managed Woolworth Department Store for several years. He moved to Columbia in 1963 where he opened and managed Gibson’s Discount Center. Around this same time, Bill started building travel trailers in the back yard of his home. Over the years, his pioneering spirit and ingenuity led to the production of over 25,000 recreational vehicles, mobile homes and commercial structures through Challenger Homes and Catamaran Cruisers. Always seeking a more affordable product for the public, he designed and manufactured over 5,000 house boats and recreational water craft at a price point unheard of in the industry. Following a brief retirement and after noticing the renewed interest in camping nationwide, Bill developed Eureka compact campers.

A great Rotarian, Bill joined the Columbia Rotary Club in 1966 and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of Craft Memorial United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his children: Buddy Baldwin of Lynnville, Karen Baldwin of Columbia, Cindy (Mac) Carr of Tuscumbia, AL; grandchildren: Kristin South, Kasey South, McKnight Carr, Baldwin Carr; and great grandchildren: Blake Grider, Kymber Grider, and Paysley Grider.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, June Baldwin on March 3, 2012; and brother: Robert Baldwin.

Honorary pallbearers will include: the past and current employees of Challenger Homes, Catamaran Cruisers, and Eureka Campers.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Craft Memorial United Methodist Church: 907 Hatcher Lane, Columbia, TN 38401.