William T. (Bill) Beck Jr. was born December 10, 1943 in Pittsboro, which gave him a love of the woods and Faulkner novels. He was a graduate of Bruce High School and Mississippi State University. He later served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam war. He enjoyed his career as a self-employed painting contractor. He had a passion for birds, all wildlife, nature, bicycling and sailing. He was a scholar in Early California Impressionist Art. He approached life with discipline and he was a seeker of enlightenment. He was a generous man with a loving spirit. Family and friends knew him as fun loving with quick wit. He passed away November 29, 2014 after a brief bout with cancer.
He is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Shelia Yater; his brother, Billy R. (Sue) Beck, and his sister, Linda Beck Williams. He was a loving uncle to several nieces and nephews. He was step-father to Gabe Bermudez and Marela (Zack) Onisko. He was step-grandfather to Madalina Onisko. He was preceded in death by his father, William T. Beck Sr., his mother, Lucille Riley Beck, and brother, Bobby Gene Beck, all of Pittsboro.
A celebrate of Bill’s life will be held at Walnut Ave., United Methodist Church, Walnut Creek, CA on January 24, 2015.