Obituary

William Clay Beach, Jr.

William Clay Beach, Jr., of Keota, Tech/Sgt United States Air Force Retired, was born December 15, 1930 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to William Clay and Thalia (Wade) Beach and passed away June 16, 2005 in Talihina, Oklahoma at the age of 74.

Mr. Beach lived his early years in Leflore county attending school at Brushey, Bokoshe, and Tucker. His parents later took teaching positions with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the entire family moved to the Alaska Territory. While in Alaska young William took pride in handling his sled dogs and became the first Boy Scout north of the Arctic Circle. He returned to Oklahoma to live with his aunt in Bowlegs after his mother was lost in the wilderness of the Yukon. Upon graduation from high school he joined the Oklahoma National Guard. At the end of his Guard obligation he entered the Air Force and remained until he had completed 21 years of distinguished service to his country. Mr. Beach served his country in times of war in Korea and Vietnam. His peacetime duties took his family and him to Morocco, Spain, Republic of the Philippines, California, Florida, Louisiana, and occasionally back to his beloved Oklahoma. He retired from the Air Force and built a home in Cowlington, but continued to serve his country an additional 13 years as a Civil Servant at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.

Mr. Beach was preceded in death by his father, William Clay Beach, Sr., mother, Thalia Wade Beach, younger brother T.W. Beach and wife Pauline E. Beach.

He is survived by: his wife, Carol Beach of Cowlington; five sons: William Beach and wife Salmah of Cromwell, Joe Beach and wife Diane of Seminole, Steven Beach and wife Debbie of Cowlington, Richard Beach of Keota, Andy Taylor and wife Belinda of Keota; four daughters: Debbie Owens of Alvarado, Texas, Florence Dodd and companion Gary Whitlock of Wewoka, Tammy Sappington of Follett, Texas, Teresa Woodrall and husband Steve of Heavener; two brothers: Rex Beach of Farmington, New Mexico, Robert Beach of Fort Yukon, Alaska; one sister: Lucy of Anchorage, Alaska, and stepmother: Maggie Beach of Anchorage, Alaska.

Mr. Beach was blessed with 28 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be 1 pm Saturday, June 18, 2005 at Mallory-Martin Chapel, Stigler with Rev. Tommie Parker officiating. Burial will follow in Old Bokoshe Cemetery under the direction of the Mallory-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory of Stigler.

Pallbearers will be: Steven Beach, Shawn Beach, Daniel Beach, Michael Beach, Billy Beach, Clay Beach.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Daniel Joslyn, Larry Maxwell, Mike Tippett, Darrel Jackson, Joe Thomas.