Seth Beeker

Seth Willard “Will” Beeker passed away peacefully March 29, 2016 at Promise Hospital Overland Park, KS at the age of 92.  One of three children, Willard was born in Yonkers, New York to Seth Avery Beeker and Mary Wicklow Carson Beeker October 24, 1923.  After high School, Willard attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, from 1941 to 1943 before enlisting in the U.S. Army.  PFC Willard Beeker served his country from January 27, 1943 in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, Company B, 35th infantry, including battles in Northern Solomans and Luzon.  He received an Honorable Discharge January 12, 1946.  His service included time as the Bugle Boy of Company B.  After his discharge he married Gloria Grace Nelson and had two children.  After Gloria’s death in 1959 he married Claudia Mims and had two daughters.   Willard was inventive and ambitious and had a diversified employment history.  He owned Beeker Manufacturing in Shawnee, KS and was a volunteer fireman for many years.  He served as a police dispatcher in Shawnee, KS, and held many other positions in other industries.  He retired from the US Postal Service working out of the bulk Distribution Center in Kansas City, KS.  As a hobby, he got his pilot license as he loved flying but his main passion was boating and fishing.  He loved the lake areas in Ozarks and MN and spent as much time as he could with his family at the lake.  He also enjoyed doing the New York Times crossword puzzle and worked it up to his end of days.  Will is survived by his four children, Shari Beeker Gilliam, Harrisonville, MO; Charles Edward Beeker, New Virginia, IA, Rebecca Evelyn Beeker, Lee’s Summit, MO and Melody Kay Beeker, Fontana, KS, Claudia Beeker, Bonner Springs, KS(although his ex-spouse, remained his best friend until the end), 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, brother Don Beeker(Caroline), Ludington, MI.  A graveside inurnment will be 11:00am Friday,  April 8, 2016 at Johnson County Memorial Gardens.  Dad would be pleased that memorial contributions be made to Honor Flight or Great Plains SPCA.

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