William Temple Allen Baxter, Jr. "Bucky"

William Temple Allen Baxter, Jr, more famously known as Bucky Baxter, died peacefully at his Sanibel Island, Florida home on May 25, 2020. Bucky is survived by his beloved wife, Taylor Heilpern-Baxter, and children, Brooke and Rayland Baxter; his sister, Jane Baxter and his mother, Irene Karabinus Baxter. He was predeceased by his father, William Temple Allen Baxter Sr.

Bucky was a world-renowned multi-instrumentalist, best known for playing the steel guitar, mandolin, fiddle, acoustic and electric guitar.  He was a founding member of alt-country pioneer Steve Earle and the Dukes, where he played for nearly a decade before joining Bob Dylan and his band from 1990-1999. He recorded on the 3-time Grammy Award winning album “Time Out of Mind” and played over 750 shows on what has been referred to as “The Never-Ending Tour.”  In 1999, he began work on completing his recording studio, Three Trees, in Nashville, TN and released his only solo album, Most Likely, No Problem, with fellow artists, Tony Garnier, Ian Wallace, Gary Tallent and Henry Gross.

In 2000, Bucky joined Ryan Adams, recording on albums “Gold” and “Demolition,” and toured around the world in support of those albums until 2004.    In his career, Bucky played with artists such as R.E.M, The Beastie Boys, Los Lobos, Johnny Cash, Ben Folds, Kacey Musgraves, Johnny Paycheck, Elton John and the Rolling Stones, just to name a few.  His proudest moments, however, were spent playing on all 5 of his son Rayland’s albums and admiring his daughter, Brooke, as she built the successful jewelry company, Arrow and Anchor.

Bucky lived the last year of his life on Sanibel Island, Florida, where he spent time fishing, gardening and walking on the beach with his wife and his three dogs, Fiona, Chapel and Moses. 

Bucky will be remembered for his tender heart, his bigger than life personality and his love for all things beautiful.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the non-profit organization, Captains For Clean Water, 2031 Jackson St., Fort Myers, FL 33901.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.