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Condolences & Memories
On Wednesday, October 19, 2011, around 12:30 PM, Bill Beach went to be with Jesus, his Lord and Savior. He died of internal injuries caused by an accident on his motorcycle. Please share with the family your memories of Bill by making a comment below.
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34 comments
One time back in the 80’s we (my Dad, sisters and I) took the 1975 Deckboat out to Lake Lewisville. Prior to skiing, I was making my sisters scared by telling them that the giant alligator gars swimming next to the boat were going to eat them. Elizabeth started crying and I remember Daddy telling me to stop teasing them. He told me to grab the rope and jump in. It was my turn to ski in the alligator gar infested coves. He gunned the boat and I was up, slaloming and putting up wakes until I wiped out. Daddy saw what happened but kept driving, waving good-bye like he was going to leave me. Within seconds, these giant gars started swirling around my skis and I started punching the water and yelling for him to come back. Daddy finally came back, laughing and saying, “that’s what you get for teasing your sisters!”
Your Dad, Billy Beach, was my friend and companion when we were growing up in San Antonio. It has been years since I had talked with him and I am sorry to hear of his death.
Can you tell me a little about his life? Sounds like he had a great family. Had he been living in Dallas all these years? I live in Telluride, Colorado but heard of Billy’s death through a mutual friend. Billy had a brother, Asa. Is he still alive?
Thanks for sharing a little about Billy’s live with me.
Richard Betts
970-369-2211
richard@businessasap.com
Richard, I heard him speak of you many times. Asa and Mimi will be here for the memorial service. Bill made a life in Dallas and was loved dearly by his family. We were married for 21 yrs, and while our marriage did not survive, our friendship and respect for one another did. I am so saddened over Bill’s death and especially over the tragic way he died. Thank you so much for your comments. Becky
asa’s number in houston is 713.829.4051. he will be at the funeral.
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We can’t really plan when our end will come. All we can do is LIVE the best we can, in every moment we have. I’m glad that Bill was out in the world living vigorously. Bill had a warm easygoing way about him and I always enjoyed being around him. It was obvious in the way he loved his family, coddled his pets, and discussed politics that he had a big heart, felt deeply and passionately and was not afraid to wear it on his sleeve. I love to see his fearless, feisty, entrepreneurial spirit living on in the family he raised.
It has been many year since I have seen Bill but I remember very distinctly our lively political debates. One thing I really liked about Bill was his love of Israel. We spoke many times about his trips. More than anything Bill had heart and gusto. He knew what he liked and he had no problem telling you how he felt about it. I see a lot of that spirit in my friends Mary and John Beach. I am so sorry for his daughters and his wonderful son who will miss him very much and his grandchildren who will not get more time with him and please know that I am thinking of all of you and wishing you good thoughts from afar.
I did not know Bill very well but I know our daughter, Tracy, did. Tracy and Ashley grew up together so I know that Bill help shape their lives. Rest in peace and we all know you are watching from above with Jesus. Sincerely and many prayers to the Beach family. Love James and Elizabeth Adams
We were so shocked when we read of Bill’s death. We met him at 24 Hr Fitness several years ago and always enjoyed our many conversations with him. He would inform us of various events in the church or the Tea Party and Jimmy went to several with him. Jimmy was in the hospital recently and Bill not only called regularly but came to visit and as recently as the 17th brought supper to our house to “help with the recovery”. He was a kind and thoughtful person, and he will certainly be missed!
Becky and family–Tara and I were very sad to hear of your loss of Bill. Our memories of our 2 families “growing kids” next door to each other on Wildwood Road are always pleasant. Often thought of you as we passed your Inwood home and am so sorry our busy lives did not let us stay in touch. Life is for Bill eternal. We picture him icing down his catering truck in heaven getting ready to hand out sandwiches to all the angels. Peace to you all.
Steve and Tara, Thank you so much for your comments. Your image of Bill’s heavenly catering truck lifts our spirits. He is indeed with our Lord, and we know we will be reunited, but until that day, he will be greatly missed.
To All: A great flood of memories wash over me thinking about what a really great, wonderful guy Billy was! I knew Billy since elementary school(every other year he was Class President),also high school/college and beyond. I would love to share these stories with all, from meeting Becky at Port Aransas (playing “Stewball” on the guitar) to meeting you kids at your house in Dallas. Billy called me @11/2yrs. ago and we had a great visit. I can tell by the photos how proud he was of all his kids/grandkids.I will be with you in Spirit on Tuesday. Charlie Jeffers
Charlie, I will always remember those days at the Port. Remember when we stayed with you in SA? You had that beautiful fish pond in your backyard, and we went to Fiesta, or Night in Old San Antone. Bill thought the world of you and told me how much it meant to him that you went to his daddy’s funeral. My romantic memories of San Antonio include Bill’s parents’ southern accents, bourbon delivered to the house, the pink San Antonio Country Club, Hip’s Bubble Room, La Fonda, and flying to Mexico in Ben’s private plane. I picked out my engagement diamond at Midnight on Christmas Eve from a vault in Ben’s jewelry store. – Strictly Tennessee Williams, so fascinating, and not wasted on a girl like me.
I just heard of Bill’s passing this weekend, and am so saddened by this news. We have live just 1 block over from Bill for 8 years. When we moved into the neighborhood, Bill was one of the first neighbors we met. He was always out walking Wally, Foxy and Yedi, and would always stop and chat with us when we were outside. When he bought his motorcycle, he made a point to stop by and show it to us, as he was very proud of it, and knew we’d appreciate it, since we have a couple of scooters.
Bill will be missed so much in the neighborhood. He was a good man, and wonderful neighbor.
Toby Koonsman
I agree with Toby. Bill was such a great neighbor and he had such passion for life and especially dogs. I spoke with him just a couple of weeks ago and shared with him the fact that our sweet scottie-dog, Mr. Humphrey, had passed. He teared up and his words to me were so kind and compassionate. I pray for his family and children. In fact, we recently met one daughter at the neighbor’s yard sale. Bill left too soon and in such a tragic way. He will be greatly missed in our neighborhood! All people should be fortunate to have a neighbor and friend like Bill!
To the Beach Family: Your Dad came to our briefings on Israel and the Middle East and it was always such a pleasure to see him. He would have some story to tell or event to comment on. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
Oh, my sweet, sweet Bill. I met Bill and his friends in college at North Texas. We all loved each other like brothers and sisters. I brought Becky up from Dallas to meet my dear fun friends. Bill and Becky really hit it off and the rest is history. I hadn’t seen him in years, but he had a sweet spot in my heart. Becky always let me know what was going on with him. When he found Jesus, he really shared with everyone he knew. I know he’s in heaven. He was always so good. Brenda
It is comforting at this sad time to see the comments from other good friends, Richard Betts and Charlie Jeffers, who I haven’t seen in a long time but with whom I shared a wonderful friendship with Billy. Celebrating Billy’s life and thinking about our great times together will always make me feel young. Over the years, or was it several lifetimes, in our neighborhood in San Antonio and in places like Austin, Rockport, Nuevo Laredo, San Francisco, Dallas, with Billy I found a co-conspirator in life’s adventures – golf, hunting, fishing, trying to find a date for the New Year’s Eve party, the Navy years, more golf and football games – we had a lot of fun and shared a lot of great experiences. Of course, I would trade it all just to be around his great smile and fun-loving personality again.
sorry to hear about the Bill’s death, I served aboard the Navarro from 59-63,
hard to remember all that I served with, would some one be kind enough to share the dates that he served aboard the Navarro ( APA 215)
Fred in Mesquite, Tx
Fred, I’m sorry we haven’t responded to your comment. We don’t know the exact dates right now but I’m sure we’ll uncover them when we’re able to go through Daddy’s papers and we’ll let you know.
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Dear John, Ashley, Mary and Elizabeth,
I’m so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. My memories of your father are all from childhood, the man with that fantastic silvery sparkly candy truck. And every time I would see him he would let us get whatever we wanted. It was exciting to see him drive up! He was a lovely, and truly Texas gentleman, and I know he will be greatly missed. Love to all you guys,
Angela
Dear Ones:
Your loved one was a Good man! Honest and trustworthy, and very capable of making long-term friends – I was honored to call Him ‘My friend!’
No doubt he is “with Jesus” – for He followed Him and served Him loyally.
We will Miss him, but we KNOW where Bill Is! And We shall see him again – in heaven, when we join him there.
May God be with you as you pass through this trying time – But Know assuredly, that if You have made your preparations – You WILL join him too!
Sincerely,
Charles Lingerfelt
Bill was a true blessing and will be greatly missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m praying for the entire family.
I had the good fortune to meet Billy just last January, when he sailed with the PartyFish group for 7 days in the Caribbean. His ready smile, and his sense of adventure were contagious. We shared laughs, especially playing miniature golf on a ship that was rocking from side to side in a wind that blew the ball UPhill… In spite of that, Billy took a gold medal for the ship’s Putting Contest!
He spoke lovingly of his family, and his friends, and was excited about meeting so many new friends on the cruise.
My prayers are with the family in this time of loss, and I hope you find peace and reassurance that Billy is with Jesus.
Mary, we were all so sad to hear about the loss of your dad. Even though we’d only seen him briefly a couple of times when he rode out to see you at the barn, I can remember you talking about him afterwards, and his fondness for getting into political discussions just like everyone is talking about here. It sounds like he was a really neat person, and it’s a shame his time was cut so short. Our prayers and thoughts are with you tomorrow, as you celebrate his life, and in all the days following…
From your friends at the Sunnyvale barn
So sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. I met Bill in 1987 when I was the president of Parents Without Partners. When he joined we became instant friends. We became great golfing buddies and even went to Vegas together 3 times. We had numurous political discussions about how bad the Democrats were hurting the country. When I moved to Ill. in 2002 we still kept in contact often by phone and when I went back to Texas to visit 3 years ago I stayed with bill at his home. We enjoyed going out to the Devil’s bowl race track and watch the Dr. H. race. I went to a bible study class with Bill’s Daughter and son in law and I remember Bill really worring about Mary when she was going through her formative years and he often spoke of his son. He loved his family very much. He bragged endlessly about the scrapbook business that his daughter started. I will miss him greatly. Eddie Boggs
Dear John, Ashley, Mary, Elizabeth and Becky
So sorry to hear about Uncle Bill. I know that he will be missed. I remember when we were kids and Casey and I would come over and spend the night. Uncle Bill would always let us rob the catering truck when he got home from work. Pretty fun stuff for a kid. I also remember him taking us to Love Field to watch the planes take off and also the trip we took took to Port Aransas. I am sure he and Granny are catching up in Heaven right now. One day we’ll all meet again in Heaven and that is something to look foward to.
Love you guys,
Patrick
Patrick, that was my first thought! I bet he and Granny are having a great time!! I love you!
I was so sorry to hear of Billy’s passing. Billy and I were very close in the early 50’s and 60’s. We made numerous trips to Port Aransas and Copano Bay during our High school years. I remember spending Saturdays Playing Football with Billy and Mike Bahan in Wendel Munson’s front yard, riding in Dr. Beach’s golf cart while we made our attempts at playing golf, and just hanging out at Billy’s house on weekends to check out Asa’s girlfreinds and maybe pick up a few pointers.
My prayers are with the Family during their time of grief.
Sincerely,
Bill Jordan
Bill, I’ve heard you name many times. It sounds like you boys had a wonderful childhood in San Antonio. Bill pointed out all his friends’ homes on numerous trips to SA and the lawns where he played football, accompanied by his dog, Jeff. I’m glad he had wonderful friends like you. I think my children are going to post his memorial slide show and a video of the service, when they can. Thank you so much for sharing. Becky
I miss Daddy all the time. He’s such a huge part of me; my thoughts are never far from him and I didn’t even realize the extent of his influence on my life until he was gone.