William R. Beasley

Billy Beasley went to be with the Lord on June 29, 2017. Parkway Funeral Home of Ridgeland is handling arrangements. Visitations will be 5-8pm Friday, June 30, and 9:00am Saturday, July 1 at FBC Madison followed by his celebration service at 10am. Burial will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery on Highland Colony Parkway.

Mr. Beasley was born February 16, 1924, to Taylor & Odessa Townsend Beasley and was the last remaining sibling of 11 children. He was a native of Harperville (Scott County) and a longtime resident of Jackson before moving to Madison 18 years ago, most recently as a resident of Sunnybrook Estates. He was a veteran of WWII, having served as a sergeant in the US Army with overseas duties in Germany. He retired from ICG Railroad after 36½ years and was a member of the Retired Railroad Men’s Coffee Club.

Mr. Beasley was a member of FBC Madison and was previously a longtime member of Van Winkle Baptist Church, Jackson. His favorite pastime was listening to Southern Gospel Music and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Weldon, Vanelle, L.W., James, Leon & infant brother; and sisters Catherine Jones, Lena Maude Gonya, Frances Edwards and Maurice Morton; & great-grandchildren Pruett Bowen and Caroline Bryant.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Coker Beasley; son Larry (Janet) Beasley of Pearl; daughters Brenda Cook of Byram; Melissa (Jeff) Lewis of Madison; and Renee (Bruce) Brumfield of Madison; 10 grandchildren (Taylor & Jason Beasley; Amy Bryant, Ashley Clark, Maren Bowen, Adam Cook; Brooke, Braxton & Brayden Brumfield, & Jacob Lewis); 16 great grandchildren and numerous nieces & nephews.

Memorials may be made to: FBC Madison Building Fund; or to Meadow Grove Baptist Church’s Caroline Bryant Memorial Fund (Brandon, MS).