Billy Earl Beasley was born Dec. 14, 1932, at Summersville, Mo., to John Louie and Ella Omega (Hammer) Beasley. He passed away at Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, Mo., on April 25, 2016, at the age of 83.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one son, one daughter-in-law, and one great-granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife, Dessie of the home; one son, Mike of Houston, Mo.; one daughter, Sonya White and husband, Mike, of Raymondville, Mo.; grandsons, Jason and wife, Melissa, and Josh and wife, Laura, all of Houston, Mo.; granddaughters, Angela Lisle and husband, Chad, Allison Williams and husband, Mike, and Tiffany Dykes and husband, Jimmy; great-grandchildren, Kaden Beasley, Eden Lisle, Harrison Williams, and Kennedy Dykes; and many other relatives and friends.
Bill attended grade school in Summersville and Plato. The family moved to Houston, where he attended high school, graduating in 1950. After he turned 18 in December 1950, he joined the US Air Force for a three-year hitch, serving his country during the Korean conflict.
On Nov. 3, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Dessie Maxine Smith, at Houston, Mo. To this union three children were born, David, Mike and Sonya.
Bill was saved at an early age and was a member of the Ozark Baptist Church, where he served many years as teacher, trustee, treasurer and deacon.
Bill went to work part-time at the Houston Post Office in December 1954. He eventually worked his way up and was appointed Postmaster on April 28, 1973, serving in that capacity until his retirement on Jan. 2, 1988. He went to work as a deputy for the Texas County Sheriff’s Office in 1998, serving there for over 10 years until his health required he quit.
Like his father (who was a carpenter), Bill liked to build, and was good at it. He built his own home and he and Dessie lived in it the past 49 years. He helped build or remodel several houses for his family and relatives, and helped several friends with building projects. He helped on every building project at Ozark church through the years and went on mission trips to other states helping build housing and playground equipment.
Bill liked to fish. He went often after he retired; sometimes with his dad, his wife or his brother, sometimes with his son or grandkids, and sometimes alone. He was a good fisherman and always brought home fish.
Bill was always a leader and a servant at the same time. He led his family to church where he served Christ and the church. He managed the Houston Post Office for many years, serving the community. He served on the Houston Volunteer Fire Dept. while he lived in town. He served on many boards and committees throughout the years. He served on the Crisis Center board and served as election judge at the polls for many years. He helped found the Big Piney Sportsman’s Club and was their first president.
Bill loved God and he loved his church, always appreciative of the opportunity to attend.
Bill loved his family. They were his greatest joy. He loved seeing them, whether it was at a big family gathering or just someone stopping by for a minute to visit. He cherished times spent with his wife, kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. He rejoiced with them in their happiness, and cried with them in their sorrows, his feelings always tied to theirs.
Bill was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He left us a great gift…a shining example of what a man should be, following the straight path that God laid out for him. He will be missed by his church, his family, his relatives and friends, and by all who knew him.
Services were 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 29, at Ozark Baptist Church with Pastor Todd Haley officiating. Burial was in Ozark Cemetery. Pallbearers were Mark Harper, Chester Herndon, Glenn Willson, David Branson, Robert Stringer and Willie Johnson. Honorary pallbearer was Bob Rasmussen. Services were under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Ozark Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.evans.com.
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