William R. Beck

William R. Beck, 76, was called to his eternal resting place on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, in Wichita, Kansas.

Memorial graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Miami Cemetery with Rev. Thacker Haynes, pastor of McLean Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

William was born on June 4, 1947, in Pampa, to Rufus and Margaret Russell Beck. He attended school in Lefors and attended college at Clarendon College before joining the Air Force in 1968. He later met his future wife, Shari Beck, while stationed in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The couple was married on January 10, 1971, in Alamogordo. 

In 1971, William, Shari, and their family moved to Sunray, Texas where he worked on a ranch. They would later move to Miami, Texas, where he worked on the Payne Ranch. They then moved to Alanreed, where he worked and managed a ranch for Nelson and Sikes. In 1976 he started working for Kewanee Oil Company as a pumper and then moved to McLean Texas.  Kewanee later became Gulf Oil, and then Chevron. He spent a total of 37 years working for Chevron. He retired in 2018 while living in Eunice, New Mexico. William was a member of the American Legion and the Masonic Lodge. 

William is preceded in death by his parents, Rufus Beck and Margaret Russell Beck; and wife, Shari Beck.

He is survived by three children, Traci Mercer and husband Jack, Wilson Edgell and wife Cheryl, and Kellie Bruns and husband Daryl; six grandchildren, Dalen Mercer and wife Breanna, Trae Mercer, Jessica Edgell, Justin Edgell, Stetson Bruns and wife Hanna, and Kyrste Bruns; four great-granddaughters, Ainsley, Ezri, Kenzlee and Ella Grace; sister, Paula Beck Schuman and husband Gary; nephews, Jared and Jay Schuman and families; and many cousins and other extended family members.