Paul Lewis Beasley

BEASLEY, Paul Lewis, 74, a native son and lifelong resident of Tampa, passed away February 27, 2004. A young veteran of the U.S. Air Force and an avid fisherman, Paul eloped at age eighteen with the love of his life, Willa. He was in the Merchant Marines and worked on railroad lines throughout Florida only to find that both occupations kept him too long away from his family. Without the benefit of any formal training in construction, he built a home for his wife and children literally room by room. As a second job and in an effort to better provide for his family, Paul went into the fencing business with his good friend, Dick Thompson. Disability forced his early retirement from the Continental Can Company in Ybor where he worked for many years. A consummate chef and self-taught jack of all trades, Paul was generous to a fault and quick to share a good story. He will be sorely missed by all of his family and friends. His survivors include his wife, Willa; daughter, Beatrice; son, Paul; daugh ter, Ann; son-in-law, Hardy; daughter-in-law, Darlene; and grandchildren, Jackie, Rusty, Tim, Morgan, Bailee, and Cheyna. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Saturday, March 6, 2004 at Marsicano-B.Marion Reed Stowers Funeral Home in Tampa. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers and to honor Paul's love of the sea, donations may be made to: The Mote Marine Foundation 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy. Sarasota, FL 34236 Attn: Laura Breeze MARSICANO-B. MARION-REED STOWERS