Walter Lewis "Walt" Beaver

Walter (Walt) Lewis Beaver, 67, of Goodyear, Arizona was welcomed into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on May 14, 2024, after a two-year, hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. He entered peacefully into Heaven at his home after a beautiful night surrounded by dear friends singing, praying, and worshipping God.
Walter was a loving and devoted husband to the love of his life and best friend of nearly 44 years, Patricia (Pattie) Livengood Beaver and daddy to his beloved fur-son, Morris. Our nephew, Brandon Livengood, of Salisbury, NC, whom he loved dearly, was also by his side and was a blessing during Walter's last days.
Ever the quiet, sweet Southern gentleman, Walter insisted on taking everyone for "sweet tea and fellowship" right before his heavenly homegoing. Like the man who was carried to see Jesus, friends carried Walter and made his wish happen. The night of his homegoing, Walter was surrounded by dear precious friends, singing and praying him into glory. That beautiful praise and worship soon gave way to Christ welcoming home His good and faithful servant. Walter was welcomed into Heaven by his parents-in-law, Don and Margaret Livengood, whom he loved dearly.
Walter's cancer journey started on the west coast in 2022 in the middle of what was supposed to have been just a three-month cross-country trip. After the diagnosis, we held tight to God's promise that He had still had plans for us, not that everything would be easy, but that we must simply have faith. And Walter had that faith, even though those plans included foregoing our home on the South Carolina oceanfront for the Arizona desert to receive treatment.
Walter received treatment for two years at City of Hope (Cancer Treatment Centers of America) and was an encourager to everyone who knew him, both patients and staff. He will lovingly be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him as a cancer warrior and follower of Christ. Walter had a true servant's heart and often served and always loved on other patients on their cancer journey, even after he had a full day of chemo. In memory of the impact that Walter had on those at the cancer center, a tree will be planted on the campus in his memory to encourage other fighters in their journey during the most difficult time of their life.
After our unexpected journey landed us in Arizona, God led us to Turning Leaf Church of the Nazarene in Litchfield Park, AZ, where we became members. It's been said that "Church is not something you go to, it's a family you belong to." And Turning Leaf Church quickly became family and loved on Walter and walked with us every step of our journey, through ups and downs and laughter and tears. Words can never express the love and gratitude Walter and I had for our Turning Leaf Church family. You all are truly the hands and feet of Jesus, and we love you so much.
Before retirement and moving to the South Carolina coast, Walter was a member of First Baptist Church Salisbury, NC, having served as an ordained Deacon and PreSchool Sunday School teacher. He was deployed numerous times with the North Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief Team for Hurricane Katrina and other disaster relief efforts. He also served as President-Elect and Sergeant-at-Arms of the Granite Quarry Civitan Club in Granite Quarry, NC. Walter served as Team Leader at Freightliner in Cleveland, NC, from the first day of plant operations, retiring in 2020 after 30 1/2 years of service.
A Celebration of Life for Walter is scheduled for June 9, 2024, at Turning Leaf Church of the Nazarene in Litchfield Park, AZ, led by Pastors Jeff Fillis, Jeff Paparone, Tom Mixon, and Scott McCutcheon, with music by Chris Haro. In honor of Walter's life and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Turning Leaf Church of the Nazarene Building Fund, 5800 N Litchfield Rd, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340.
We take comfort knowing that Walter is celebrating in Heaven with his Lord and Savior. His beloved father-in-law, Don Livengood, wrote the following before his own homegoing. This is also Walter's prayer and I hope it brings comfort to you as we thank God for Walter and celebrate his life:
"...Please don't mourn for me at my death. Have a service of praise and thanks. My faith and trust is in Jesus Christ, not only in my earthly life but throughout eternity. My greatest desire is that all of you believe in Jesus Christ as God's Son and receive Jesus' gift of forgiveness from sin. (John 3:16)"