William Beasley

William Beasley HICKORY William "Bill" A. Beasley, 73, of Hickory, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley. Born on October 16, 1937 in Greenville County SC, he was the son of the late Ben Illie Beasley and Charity Ann Long Beasley. He was a veteran of the US Air Force and US Marine Corp having served during the Vietnam conflict. Mr. Beasley retired from Old Dominion Trucking Company as a truck driver. He was a member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church where he was a Deacon, a former RA leader and a former Sunday School Superintendent. He was also an avid golfer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Harrison Beasley, George Beasley, Ben Beasley, Lawrence Beasley, Gene Beasley, Milton Beasley and Johnny Beasley; sisters, Ruth Crider, Connie Riddle and Frances Beasley. Mr. Beasley is survived by his wife of 49 years, Shirley Leonhardt Beasley of the home; sons, Steve Beasley and wife Wendy of Conover, Michael Beasley and wife Cindy of Hickory, and Gunnery Sergeant Phillip Beasley and wife Lisa of Camp Pendleton, CA.; grandchildren, Stacy Beasley, Christian Beasley, Blake Beasley, Clay Kincaid, Larisa Phoolpol-Bruggeman, Nicholas Bruggeman and Aiden Bruggeman; brother, Wilton "Pete" Beasley of Piedmont, SC; and sister, Jessie Clardy of Pelzer, SC. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at Sandy Ridge Baptist Church with the Rev. John Whaley, Rev. Homer Greene and the Rev. Dale Watts officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens with Military Rites by the Marine Corp League. The family will receive friends 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, Mission Fund, 3702 16th Street, NE, Hickory, NC 28601 or Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658. Condolences may be sent to the family of Mr. Beasley at www.drumfuneral home.com. The family of Mr. Beasley have entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 940 29th Ave. NE, Hickory, NC (828.267.5740).