William Michael “Mike” Beckum

Born in Augusta, Mike was the son of the late William Arnold Beckum and Betty Jenkins Beckum. Mike was a graduate of the University of Georgia where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Mike was a commercial real estate lender with SunTrust Bank for 23 years. Mike was a member of the Athens Country Club and an avid golfer. He enjoyed sharing the love of golf with his sons. Some of his golfing highlights include playing rounds at Pebble Beach, Oakmont Country Club, Augusta National, along with many others. Living in Athens, he had a passion for all Bulldog sports. He attended football games regularly since graduating from college. Mike was at the 1980 National Championship game and was thrilled to share the 2021 National Championship game with his family in Indianapolis. Mike was a member of Athens First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Michelle Beckum; twin sons, Robert Jenkins Beckum and William Myers Beckum, all of Athens; sister, Margie McElreath (Robert) of Augusta; nieces, Marjorie Davison (Matt) of Atlanta, Allison McElreath of Charlotte, NC, Ashley Breindl of Alpharetta; nephew, Matthew Breindl of Sasebo, Japan; and his beloved bulldog, Champ.

A memorial service will be held Friday, February 17, at 1:00 p.m., at Athens First United Methodist Church. A reception will follow the service in Hancock Hall at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Hospice House, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604 or Athens First United Methodist Church, 327 N. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30601.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.