Bill Beach

William “Bill” Beach, USMC 1st Sgt. (Ret.), better known as “Honey” and “Papa”, reported to his final duty station on the 17th day of February, 2021.  He loved being a U.S. Marine, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Bill was born July 17, 1948 in Rochester, NY to Ruth and Pete Beach.  He entered the United States Marine Corps on July 27, 1966 and served for 20 years.  He served two tours in Vietnam from January 13, 1967 to April 21, 1969.  During his career in the Marine Corps, he served in 1st Marine Division, 2nd Marine Division, 3rd Marine Division, and 4th Marine Division.  When he retired in 1986, he and his wife, Linda, and family moved to Gainesville, TX, where he and his brother-in-law, Frank Deater, began a thriving landscaping business.  Bill took the business on as his own in 1988.  During those years, he worked at Barnes Bros. Feed Store (12 years) and Gainesville Glass Co. (5 years), making many lasting friendships.  He was a much-loved husband and father and Papa.

Bill is survived by his wife, Linda Martin Beach; children: Steven Beach (Priscilla) of Gainesville, Lisa Renee Hughes of Sherman, Christina Noel of Arizona, and Bill Beach Jr. (Amy) of Florida; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Kathy Benson (Jack); brother, John Beach (Jill); sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Cheryl and Frank Deater; sister-in-law, Gloria Ayers; sister-in-law, Linda Martin; an abundance of friends; and Brother and Sister Marines.

Mr. Beach was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, Mike Beach; sister, Laurie Candie; and daughter, Robin Michelle.

Graveside services with military honors are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Fairview Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, March 5 at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.