Billy Wayne Beaver

Bill was born in Salisbury, NC, where he lived until early adulthood. There, he worked for Southern Railway maintaining trains. He married Betty Jane Miller during that time. They later moved to Atlanta, where he had a variety of jobs, including working at Lockheed on the early C-130s. Later, he became a computer programmer, working for a variety of insurance companies. The family lived in various locations around the South, including: Charlotte, NC; Miami, FL; Richmond, VA; and Charleston, SC. They always returned to Atlanta.

He served in the U.S. Army and in the National Guard in both North Carolina and Georgia.

In the 1980s, he began his affiliation with the Masons, becoming a Master Mason in 1983. He served as an officer in the Tucker Club, and later worked with the Yaarab Shrine Temple in Atlanta. He greatly enjoyed his work over the years, everything from cooking at the Circus to driving the van to transport sick children to the hospital for care.

Bill lived a long and amazing life! Wife Betty passed away in 1997. In the late 1990s, he married Evelyn Ruth O’Brien. He was once again widowed in 2005. In 2006, he married Jacqueline H. Tapken, to whom he was married until her death in 2020. Bill and Jackie traveled extensively during their time together, as well as enjoying events at the Shrine Temple. They were devoted to each other.

In 2019, Bill and Jackie moved to the Oaks at Braselton community after Bill suffered a serious fall and a broken neck. Doctors gave him a low chance of surviving more than 2 months. With determination and sheer will, he walked again. Additional illnesses would lead to multiple hospitalizations and considerable struggles. Even so, Billy made many friends among the residents and staff. He took an active part in activities, including Bingo and woodworking, and he developed a passion for working puzzles. He attended social activities and Sunday church services. Although he could no longer attend services there, he loved his community church, Flowery Branch United Methodist Church. He never lost his special smile and his drive to live his life to the fullest!

Bill is remembered with love by his daughter, Susan Beaver Bailey; son-of-choice, Patrick Hall; chosen family members Kelly, Regan, and their families, and dear friend Betty.