Willard Beasley

TAMMS, Ill. -- Willard Beasley, 95, of Tamms died Monday, June 8, 2009, at City Care Center in Cobden, Ill.

He was born Sept. 29, 1913, in Morgantown, Ky., son of Thomas and Mamie Elizabeth Burden Beasley.

Beasley retired from Unimin Specialty Minerals.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.

Survivors include five daughters, Della Curtis of Thebes, Ill., Ruth Beasley, Beverly Lameer and Janet Phegley, all of Racine, Wis., Kathy Curtis of Olive Branch, Ill.; four sons, Willard Beasley of Mounds, Ill., Ronald Beasley of Racine, Donald and Jerry Beasley of Kenosha, Wis.; a sister, Joyce Bradshaw of Anna, Ill.; a brother, Leslie Beasley of Tamms; two stepdaughters, Carolyn Butcher and Tanya Reid; 35 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; 20 great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two wives, Reba Beasley and Lois Beasley; three brothers, Leo, Archie and Raymond Beasley Sr.; three sisters, Gracie Mervel, Gertrie Beasley, Della Rossi; and a great-grandson, Jeremy Wayne Curtis.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Valley Mission Church near Jonesboro, Ill., with the Rev. Billy Freeman officiating. Burial will be in Valley Mission Cemetery with full military honors provided by Illinois National Guard and area veterans.