WILLIAM ERBY BEALL

William Erby "Coach" Beall, 91, passed away November 2, 2013. Beall was a decorated combat veteran of World War II who served his country as a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater from 1943-1945. After returning home, he began a distinguished, six decade long career as a football coach including time as an assistant coach at Rice, defensive coordinator at LSU, and head football coach at Baylor. Born January 24, 1922 in Osceola, Arkansas, Beall grew up during the Great Depression. At age nineteen, he left college to pursue his dream of becoming a Navy fighter pilot. He received his wings at the NAS in Pensacola, FL and spent the next two years on the USS Lexington in the Pacific Ocean. Lt. Beall received an honorable discharge in June of 1947 and received the American Area Camp Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Area Camp Medal. He later earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis and a graduate degree from the University of Mississippi. Whether coaching an All-American at LSU or a ten year old at Grace St Luke, Coach Beall believed in teaching the fundamentals and helping each player reach their full potential through a positive experience that would impact the rest of their life. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Doris Hembree Beall of Memphis, their three sons, Billy (Rosalyn), Phil (Rebecca) and Charlie (Kaye), one daughter, Belinda Raines of Memphis, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Beall was a beloved resident of The Monarch, who enjoyed greeting his neighbors at the door with a smile and a butterscotch candy. The visitation will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home at 12 p.m. on Thursday, November 7 with services following at 1 p.m. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.