William J. Beckwith

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William John Beckwith, age 83 of Eau Claire, WI passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2007 at the Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire.
 
Funeral Services will be at 1:00 pm on Thursday February 22, 2007 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with burial in Calvary Cemetery both of Eau Claire. Father Eugene Klink will officiate. American Legion Post #53 will present military honors. Friends may call at Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Rd., Eau Claire, WI 54701 on Wednesday evening from 6-8 pm with prayer services taking place at 7:30 pm. Visitation will continue on Thursday at the church from 12:00 pm until the time of services.

 
William was born on April 15, 1923 in Chetek, WI to Donald S. and Grace M. (Nelson) Beckwith. He attended elementary school in Holcombe, WI and graduated from Colfax High School where he was a standout basketball player. He attended the University of Wisconsin (Madison) for a short time on a basketball scholarship before joining the Marine Corps. He served as a Marine in the South Pacific during World War II.
 
He married Estelle L. Muszynski on February 14, 1948 officiated by the Rev. John Paul at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Eau Claire. They were happily married for 58 years.
 
He worked in Eau Claire at the Pope & Talbot paper mill in shipping and receiving. He then worked for A.W. Raymond Distributing Company as a beer salesman. Lastly, He was employed by Combined Insurance as a salesman.
 
Bill officiated numerous High School and College football, basketball and baseball games during his lifetime. He was on the Board of Directors for the minor league baseball Eau Claire Bears at which time Henry Aaron and other future Milwaukee Braves played.
 
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed playing cards, camping and attending numerous sporting events especially Green Bay Packers and Badger football games. He later became his grandchildren's #1 fan attending their games as well. He was a loyal supporter of the Chi-High Cardinals baseball team for the past 23 years where he seldom missed a game.
 
William is survived by one son, William J. (Mary) Beckwith of Eau Claire, six grandchildren, Christopher and Daniel Beckwith, Michael (Jen Sweeney) Dahl, Kelly (Scott) Boardman, Amy (Russell) Hubbard, and Elizabeth (Terry Smith) Dahl, four great-grandchildren, Brittany, Levi, and Casey Boardman and Skyler Hubbard, one son-in-law, Richard (Sue Holbrook) Dahl, brother Richard (Harriet) Beckwith of Venice, FL, sister MaryLou (Robert) Barneson of Minong, WI/Queen Valley, AZ and Jane Hewitt of Tuscon, AZ brother-in-law, Arnold A. Lamberg of Eau Claire and sister-in-law, Helen Whiteley of Minnetonka, MN many nieces, nephews, friends, special neighbor, Amy Brunette and her children and loyal canine companion, Bailey. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Estelle, son Thomas and daughter SusanKay Dahl, grandson Eric Dahl and sister-in-law Eleanor Lamberg and brother-in-law John Muszynski.
 
Friends may offer their condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com. Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home (715) 832-5002 is assisting the family with the arrangements.