William E. Beardsley

William E. Beardsley December 24, 1921 - December 31, 2008 Bethlehem - William E. Beardsley “Bill�, 87, of Bethlehem passed away peacefully December 31st at his home. He was the widower of Eleanor (Gibson) Beardsley. Born December 24, 1921, in New Canaan to Bertha (Withall) Beardsley and Winthrop Lloyd Beardsley, Bill was married to Eleanor J. Gibson on December 18, 1943 at St. Marks Church in New Canaan. They were married for 48 years. Bill was a state champion in track and field from New Canaan High School in 1940 for both Javelin and the 880 yard run. A loving husband and father, he proudly served in the Navy during World War II from January 1942 until October 1945, after which he earned an Associates Degree in Forestry from the State University of New York's Ranger School in Wanakena, NY. He was a 4H leader in New Canaan and his love of nature brought him to move his family to Bethlehem in 1964 where he enjoyed gardening, raising animals and refurbishing the 1840's farmhouse which he took such pride in. Bill along with his wife Eleanor were leaders of the Young People's Fellowship at the First Church of Christ in Bethlehem in the 1970's. He was employed with SNET for over 40 years before his retirement. Bill had a great love of music and enjoyed singing and playing the guitar and the banjo. He leaves behind his three children Eric and his wife Cindy of Bethlehem, Scott and his wife Lee, with whom he resided, of Bethlehem and April Brenker and her husband Chuck of Lisbon, three grandchildren Derek Beardsley, Rebecca and Abigail Brenker, three step-grandchildren, Toby, Melanie and Coretta and two step-greatgrandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister Carol Rutherford. A funeral service will be held on Saturday January 10th at Noon at the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson - Lovetere, 2 School St. Burial will take place in the spring in Bethlehem Cemetery. Friends may call at the Funeral Home on Saturday from 11am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bethlehem Food Bank, C/O Bethlehem Town Hall, Main St. South, Bethlehem, Ct 06751. To send an online condolence, please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.