William R. "Bill" Beucke

William R. "Bill" Beucke, 75, of Hannibal, MO, passed away at 9:50 AM, Monday, August 26, 2024, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, MO.

Funeral Services will be at 3:00 PM, Saturday, August 31, 2024, at James O'Donnell Funeral Home in Hannibal, MO. Rev. Nathan Munger will officiate. Burial will follow at Grand View Burial Park in Hannibal, MO.

Friends and Family are invited to Bill's Life Celebration at a visitation that will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, August 30, 2024, at the funeral home.

Bill was born March 20, 1949, in Hannibal, MO to Chester Beucke and Opal Ramsay Beucke.

He was married to Melody A. Barnette on May 28, 1971, in Hannibal, MO. She survives.

Other survivors include his three children, Heather Lyng (Jason) of Lake St. Louis, MO, Nathan Beucke (Carrie) of Columbia, MO, and Nicholas Beucke of Monroe City, MO; one stepbrother, Ron Ketchum (Tom) of St. Ann, MO; one stepsister, Polly Ketchum of Quincy, IL; and six grandchildren, Connor Lyng, Emily Lyng, Claire Beucke, Olivia Beucke, Will Beucke, and Amber Schirmer (Tommy).

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Sean; stepmother, Alberta Beucke; and two stepbrothers, Steve Ketchum and John Ketchum.

Bill was a graduate of the Hannibal High School Class of 1967. Continuing his education, Bill attended Hannibal La-Grange Junior College and later Northeast Missouri State University where he graduated with his bachelor's degree.

Bill retired from Independent's Service Company where he was a commercial artist for over 40 years. During his professional career Bill also worked at Continental Cement Company for a period.

Bill was great with children and animals, they loved to be around him, and he genuinely enjoyed their company! Bill was a wonderful father and papa, and his candy dish was well known and always fully stocked with his visitors' favorite treats. Bill's hospitality is also well remembered, often insisting his guests enjoy something to eat or drink with him. Bill enjoyed watching the Food Network and could often be found sitting on his front porch, greeting neighbors with his bright smile. A man of simple pleasures, Bill relished the thrill of playing lottery tickets and the Power Ball, always using the birthdays of his children as his special numbers or stepping out for an occasional date night with his wife, Melody to play the slots. Bill loved and cherished his 1932 Plymouth, and his vintage Ford. He liked to attend classic car shows and enjoy all of the cars from a simpler time. Trips with family to Destin, FL, Cardinals Baseball and Mizzou Tigers football were also a few of Bill's favorites.

One of Bill's proud moments was when he was crowned a winner in the Mark Twain Mustache Contest, his signature facial hair as much a part of him as his infectious chuckle. Above all, Bill was a family man, a loving presence in the lives of his children and grandchildren. Each moment spent with them was a treasure. Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.Pallbearers will be Nicholas Beucke, Nathan Beucke, Jason Lyng, Bennie Dodd Jr., Jerry Hesse and Bob Lewton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hannibal Art Council, the Hannibal Nutrition Center or Have a Heart Rescue of Springfield, MO.

Online condolences may be shared, and video tribute may be viewed at www.JamesODonnellFuneralHome.com.