Funeral services for 87-year old Nebraska native Bill Beck of Cleveland, TN, are Sat, Jan 21, 2023, at 1:00 at Companion Funeral Home in Cleveland.
Visitation will precede the funeral from 11:00-1:00. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Solia Farm (Healing and Hope through Horses) in Apison, TN. Donations may be made online at www.solia.farm.
Online condolences may be left at companionfunerals.com
Bill Beck was born in Springfield, NE, to Orville and Cecilia Beck on July 2, 1935. He passed away Jan 16, 2023.
Bill was a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He and his wife Sharon lived in Chadron for a number of years and their children graduated from Chadron High School.
He worked as a hired hand, truck driver, high school teacher, school bus driver, college professor, high school administrator, Driver’s Ed Instructor, and an Education Specialist for the United States Navy.
Bill graduated from Springfield High School in 1952 and in 1957 became the first member of his family to earn a college degree when he graduated from Peru State College. He went on to earn a master’s degree from Kearney State College and a Ph.D. from Colorado State University in 1978.
Bill had a strong work ethic and always had a side hustle. He liked motorcycles, so there was Beck’s Cycles in Elkhorn, NE, where he owned and operated a motorcycle dealership and repair shop.
He liked to work with his hands and build things, so there was Beck’s Enterprises in Omaha where he purchased and managed several rental properties. Additionally, he crafted numerous beautiful furniture pieces over the years still cherished and on display by his loved ones.
Bill loved to ride horses and mules, so there was the Beck Mule Farm in Cleveland, TN. He found real joy in being there at the birth of one of his mules to have the opportunity to “imprint” on the new colt.
Bill enjoyed riding horses, mules, and motorcycles but had many other pastimes that included hunting, fishing, beekeeping, raising chickens and mules, gardening, and later in life, reading westerns and mystery novels.
Bill spoke often of a cherished childhood memory of riding his grandfather’s beautiful horse “Pet” around the Beck homestead near Atkinson, NE,
He also fondly recalled being an “aspiring cowboy” as he worked his way through college on a farm with his dear friend, Bud Knight.
Bill was drafted and served in the Nebraska Air National Guard, speaking often over the years of his time in basic training. He served as a deputy sheriff in Douglas County for several years.
He cared deeply about being an American and the importance of being informed and voting. He ran for public office and served as an election official for many years. His wife, Sharon, was a Nebraska State Senator and was active in politics for several decades with Bill by her side.
Most importantly, Bill was a believer in Jesus Christ and was a member of Shenandoah Baptist Church in Cleveland.
Bill is preceded in passing into Christ’s presence by Sharon, his wife of 57 years, and his brothers Orville and Jerry Beck.
He is survived by children Clayton (Angela) Beck, Curt (Sanine) Beck, Clint (Kim) Beck, Christine (Darrin) Hassevoort, grandchildren Austin (Nicole), Audrey, Ethan, Jeremiah, Andrew (Camber), Matthew, Amanda (Brown), Sophia and Ian; and great-grandchildren Indiana, Morgan, Emery and Lily.
The Cleveland Chapel of Companion Funeral & Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements for Bill Beck.