William L. Beasley

William "Bill" L. Beasley
Sept. 20, 1920 - June 8, 2009

William "Bill" L. Beasley, 88, of Bryan, Texas, peacefully went to be with his heavenly father on Monday, June 8, 2009. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14, 2009 at New Church Cemetery in Edge, Texas.

He was a loving husband to Vera Mae Frame, a proud father to four daughters and a very proud grandfather and great- grandfather, who gave of himself unselfishly on both personal and financial levels. He was an educated, humorous, compassionate, loving man we knew as Daddy, Grandfather, and to his friends as "Bill". Bill was born in Cushing, Oklahoma on September 20, 1920. He was always "Billy" to his mother and Bill to others, as he matured. He graduated from Texas A&M University, Class of 1943, where he was in the corps of cadets in Signal Corps A. He earned his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. While at Texas A&M University, he met and married Vera Mae Frame (a native of Edge, Texas). After graduation he served his country during WWII working for Sperry Gyroscope Co, in New York City flying in test planes. Returning to Kilgore, Texas, he was an instructor at Kilgore Jr. College from 1946-47. He served as president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and was awarded the JC Distinguished Service Award in 1953. This eventually led to partnering with his father, opening "Beasley TV and Electronic Service" in Longview, Texas until 1963, when the business was sold. After selling the business, he moved the family to Bryan, Texas so he could attend Texas A&M to resume his education earning a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and then, a doctorate in Electrical Engineering. His dissertation was entitled, "An Investigation of the Radiated Signals Produced by Small Sparks on Power Lines." The research he did on this subject was ground-breaking, changing the ability to detect sound problems on power lines. He was an associate professor of Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M for 21 years until he retired in 1985. While teaching at A&M, he also volunteered his time as sponsor of the Amateur Radio Club. He was loved by all his students because of the unselfish way he gave of himself whenever they needed his help in any situation, even inviting them to his home in the evenings when they needed help with homework. After retirement, he worked harder than ever as a private consultant, serving as an expert witness on trials that enlisted his expertise. He was a licensed pilot and flying his plane, 8686T, was one of his favorite things to do when there was time with his busy schedule of teaching, volunteering and running his ranch. He was a member of the Quiet Birdmen and AOPA. Fishing was also one of his loves, which he would frequently do on early mornings at Lake Cherokee while living in Longview before the business opened for the day.In the 1980's, Bill began collecting many 1965 mustangs, among other collectable cars. He was an avid mustang enthusiast, to say the least. The only thing that rivaled his mustangs, were his many tractors. It was a standing joke that he had a tractor for every implement he owned because he did not like to hook and unhook them to do the different jobs on the ranch. It was easier just to buy a tractor to go with the implement. In the past 20 years, raising Hereford and Angus cattle was his passion. He loved riding around in his “mule” just "gazing" (as he would say) upon the beauty of his ranch and the cows, which he always gave credit to God for its creation. Anyone who knew him understood the awe he held for our universe and the God who created everything. Bill was a registered professional engineer; member of Tau Beta Pi, engineering honor society; Eta Kappa Nu, electrical engineering honor society; and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumni award from Longview High School in 2000 where he graduated in 1937. In his normal manner, his words to the audience were, "I am most humbly grateful to Longview and Longview ISD for what they have given to me." Bill was instrumental in leading the building of the Gregg County Fairgrounds in the early '50s. He served on the Jaycees for many years while living in Longview. And he was a volunteer fire-fighter for Gregg County for many years. He continued to give back to his community by serving on the Electrical Board in Bryan, Texas. He was an Aggie through and through, giving back to the school that he says gave so much to him. He has supported the Electrical Engineering Department for many years through his generous donations. He received the distinguished Teaching Award from the College of Engineering for 1984-1985 in recognition of his superior teaching. Since his wife's death in 1998, he was a dedicated, dependable and much-loved volunteer for St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan, Texas.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father, Eva and Fred Beasley, and his wife of 57 years, Vera Mae Frame Beasley. Survivors include four daughters and sons-in-law, Marijane Marguerite Deen and Loyd Deen, Susan Karil Beasley and Mike Lacy, Kassie Beasley Collins and Fred Collins; and Amy Kolette Beasley and his former son-in-law and best friend, "the son he always wanted", Wells Moore; Three Sisters, Margaurette Luquette, Jane Haynes and husband, Chuck; and Freddie Taylor and husband, Dale. He had seven grandsons, one granddaughter, three great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the St. Joseph Foundation, P.O. Box 993, Bryan, Texas, 77805 or at Foundation.St.Joseph.org.

Expressions of sympathy can be made at www.MeM.com.