Warren J. "Pappy" Beyes

WARREN JOHN

"PAPPY" BEYES

Warren J. "Pappy" Beyes, 91, died peacefully June 10, 2012 after a lengthy illness.

Warren was born February 12, 1921 in St. Louis County, Missouri to the late Hermann Beyes and Amelia Dorst Beyes. He was preceded in death by brother, Louie Beyes, and sister, Laura Beyes Kreyling.

Warren lived and worked on the family farm until World War II, when he became an aviator in the United States Marine Corps. As the "Old Man" at age 21 to the 19 year old "boys" in his squadron, he was nicknamed "Pappy," and was known as Pappy for the rest of his life. During World War II Pappy served in the South Pacific and China Theatre and later served in the Korean Theatre. In Korea he was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three gold stars for the eighty-five missions carried out in his F4U Corsair. Additional awards included the Korean Service Medal with six stars, the Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Distinguished Unit Citation. He achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was proud of his service to his country.

When Pappy moved to Wilmington in the 1950's, he entered into life insurance service and operated his own business as a respected Charter Life Underwriter and Charter Financial Consultant. He was a member of the Underwriters Association and Association of Charter Life Underwriters.

Pappy was active in local civic affairs as a charter member of the Sertoma Club and served as Vice President and Chairman. For many years, he was part of an informal group of civic leaders who met regularly for breakfast at Whitey's Restaurant. He was an avid racquetball player at the YMCA and an accomplished golfer. He won numerous events and had many trophies to mark those wins.

Pappy was an avid gardener and for nearly fifteen years provided fresh vegetables from his garden to Wilmington's downtown Soup Kitchen. In his later years he regularly enjoyed preparing and delivering seasonal fruit baskets for the Wounded Warrior Marines at Camp Lejeune. He was a faithful participant in the Senior Men's Club of Wilmington and was an active worshipper at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

An extremely private and humble man of great devotion and integrity, Pappy touched many lives and will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by many devoted friends and his dear friends of many years, Faye Hefelfinger and her family.

A Service will be held at 12 o'clock noon, June 22, 2012 in the chapel at the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Montford Point Road in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church or to the charity of one's choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com

A Market St Chapel Service



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