William David "Bill" Bedsaul (Sr.)

William David Bedsaul (Sr.), known affectionately as Bill, passed away on November 20, 2024, at the age of 92 in Amarillo, TX.
Born on May 8, 1932, in Carroll County, VA he grew up working hard on a farm in hard economic times.

Visitation will be held at Brooks Funeral Home, 1702 Fifth Ave, Canyon, TX on November 26 from 5:00-7:00 PM.

Funeral will be held at Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home, 201 W Center St, Galax, VA 24333 on December 06 at 2:00 PM.

Burial will follow in Oakland United Methodist Church Cemetery, 4987 Pipers Gap Rd, Galax, VA 24333.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Oakland United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund.
Phone number 276-236-8511

Mr Bedsaul is preceded in death by:
- his parents, Curtis Lee Bedsaul and Kate Henry Pope Bedsaul
- his wife, Lillie Suedel Stoneman Wagoner Bedsaul
- his ex-wife Moyra Theresa O'Talbot Bedsaul
- his son, Bradford Lee "Bodie" Bedsaul
- his daughter, Sharon Teresa "Shandie" Bedsaul Kratavil
- his twin sister, Elizabeth Moore "Betty" Bedsaul
- his sister, Dorothy Lee Bedsaul Williams

He is survived by:
- his son, William David "David" Bedsaul (Jr.)
- his daughter, Tracy Ann Bedsaul
- his stepdaughter, Jaqueline Nieuwland
- his stepson, Robert Alan Wagoner
- his stepdaughter, Judy Anne Wagoner Skinner
- his granddaughter, Bridget Bedsaul Tobey
- his grandaughter, Christina Tailor
- his grandson, Morgen Angus Skinner, and his wife, Lauren Danielle Skinner
- his step great-granddaughter, Luxanna Bell Hosier
- his great-granddaughter Daisy Jane Skinner
- his great-grandson Oliver Tatsuki Skinner
- his niece, Teresa Ruth Williams Isom
- his nephew Michael Lynn Williams

Mr. Bedsaul served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, for a total of 30 years, over 20 of which was Active Duty.
He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Master Sergeant. He served in the Korean War 1950-51, as a member of the 5th Regimental Combat Team (RCT), receiving a Purple Heart for injuries in combat. He was also awarded a Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge.
He served first as an Infantryman and later as a Cook, bringing meals on foot to front line units because of steep terrain.

In the Air Force, he was in charge of life support, ejection seat and survival equipment for fighter pilots, and later was assigned as an instructor in his field and teaching survival skills at Chanute AFB.

MSGT Bedsaul was stationed in Missouri, Hawaii, Texas, New York, Illinois, Alaska, and Oklahoma. He served overseas in England, Thailand and Germany.

He was a Lifetime Member of the 5th RCT Association, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1115 in Hillsville, VA.

Mr Bedsaul earned a Bachelors Degree and taught Middle School Social Studies at a Woodlawn, VA Middle School.

He was a Christian man, having given his life to the Lord in a foxhole in Korea in 1951.
He served as a Deacon and Christian Brotherhood Director, and led the teenage boys' group (RA's) at Sandy Run Baptist Church in Mooresboro, NC.
He was an active member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Shelby, NC for many years, singing in the choir, visiting nursing homes and performing skits and songs for residents.
He has been a part of the First Baptist Church family in Canyon, TX for his last 3 years, and was much loved by all.

Bill enjoyed country and Christian music, loved to read about history, loved to travel, was an avid golfer and an artist, both line drawings and painting. He won numerous awards for his artwork in the local community.
He never saw a paper napkin, or scrap of paper, but that he would take out his pen and leave a sketch for servers, friends, even to share with perfect strangers. He had an infectious sense of humor, always cheerful and smiling. He brought sunshine into the room wherever he went.

Bill will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who knew him.