William Beaney

The life of William Beaney inspires us, touches us, and challenges us to be the person our Heavenly Father has called us to be. He was an extraordinary teacher who captured the attention of his students in a unique way and in so doing, shows us that teaching is much more than imparting wisdom - it is truly a matter of the heart. William’s unending faith was his guiding light and whether he was traveling through peaks or valleys, he counted it all as God’s perfect plan for his life. A true blessing in the lives of many, William will be deeply missed while the memories he leaves behind will remain forever near and dear to those too numerous to count.

Although the Great Depression blanketed our nation throughout the thirties, families and communities came together as they weathered the storms of hardship throughout the decade. Amidst this time of great trial a young couple from Rochester, New York, was focusing on an exciting time in their own family as they were anticipating the birth of their beloved baby. It was on July 21, 1930, that William Dewey made his arrival and was the first of six children in his family born to his loving parents.

Life truly began for William when he was drawn to a white church with a tall steeple as a young boy of six. One memorable Sunday morning he got himself dressed, walked accross the Barge Canal drawbridge and made his way through town in order to attend a church service there. After two years of regularly attending services, William convinced his younger sister, Gail, to come along with him. She began attending services there as well, and together brother and sister sang in the choir. As a teenager William’s singing voice was heard all over the town of Spencerport singing Christmas carols.

William’s education began in local schools, and he was graduated from Spencerport High School in 1948. He worked as a commercial photographer from 1951 through 1954, earning his bachelor of science degree, cum laude, in 1952 and his master of science degree in 1953 from Brockport State University of New York. William continued on with postgraduate work at Pennsylvania State University in 1961, and he then went on to the University of Illinois from 1963 through 1970.

While he was busy with his studies, William met and fell in love with a young woman named Mary Louise Ridall. With a desire to build a life together the couple was married on July 2, 1954. Together they were blessed with two children: Carol and John.

From 1954 through 1958 William served in the United States Air Force. He worked as a ground radio repairman and technical instructor and while stationed in Tripoli, he was a member of the 6934th Radio Squadron Mobile as part of the Air Force Security Service. There, William worked in a secure compound in a highly sophisticated operation, using several codes, gathering intelligence and intercepting radio messages from Russia. He was an integral part of keeping the special antenna, which could pick up signals 360°, working properly and alerting our B-47s that were flying around Russian airspace when they were in danger. Upon returning to the United States, William was a part of the Strategic Air Command until he was discharged in 1958.

Throughout his life William was an extraordinary teacher. His career began in 1953 when he taught science at Hilton Central High School in New York. With his time in the service complete, William worked as the audio visual director at Conewago Township School in Hanover, Pennsylvania, while also teaching science there from 1958 through 1961. With a desire to teach in a Christian college, he became a biology professor at Olivet Nazarene University in 1961 where he was deeply loved by students and faculty alike. The buzz around campus was, “If you can’t learn from Beaney, you can’t learn.” As the years went by he received many notes of appreciation and thanks from his students as the preparation he gave them laid the foundation for great success. Professor Beaney was not only an effective communicator, but also filled with great compassion for his students.

While teaching at Olivet, William was also president of the Park Villa, Arrowhead Hills, and Mel Ray Improvement Association from 1974 through 1978. He was a member of several organizations including American Association of University Professors, American Institute of Biological Science, Botanical Society of America, National Science Teachers Association, Physiological Society of America, Botany Society of America, National Association of Biology Teachers, Illinois State Academy Science, Who's Who of the Midwest and Kappa Delta Pi. William’s outstanding devotion to students didn’t go unrecognized either as he was honored as one of the Outstanding Educators of America in 1973.

With an insatiable thirst for learning, William gained an extensive knowledge about plants that was evidenced by the most beautifully landscaped yard that sparked comments from passersby. He grew a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, and grafted fruit trees.

Following his near fatal auto accident in 1982, William was in the hospital for sixty days. During that time he said to his wife, “Mary, whatever comes to us from God’s hand, we will accept.” This is a perfect example of the submission to God’s will that was engraved upon his heart. William was a faithful member of College Church of the Nazarene for 50 years and although the church is currently undergoing renovations, he is smiling in approval that his family and friends patiently waited to honor his memory until the renovations were complete. Having his funeral in the church is most fitting as he was drawn to the church at such a young age. There is nothing that would have made William happier than his family, friends, and community saying their final farewells on this side of heaven in his beloved church home.

When reflecting on the life of William Beaney, we see what it means to live a life of service to God, to truly love the church and family, and to spend our days growing Christ’s kingdom. His accomplishments were something to be so proud of, yet he remained a humble and mild-mannered man who was content in all things. The list of lives William touched during his time on earth is long, and the footprint he leaves behind will surely withstand the ebb and flow of the tide. He will be deeply missed.

William Dewey Beaney entered a new life in Christ on August 12, 2011. William’s family includes his wife, Mary Beaney of Bourbonnais, IL; daughter, Rev. Carol Beaney of Crescent City, IL; son, Dr. John Beaney of Dillsburg, PA; brothers, Merv Beaney of New York and David Beaney of Florida; and sisters, Gail Banker and Linda Michielsen both of New York. William was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Welcome Barney. Visit with William’s family and friends at College Church of the Nazarene on Monday, August 22, 2011 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. followed by the service with Olivet Nazarene University’s president, Dr. John Bowling, officiating and organist Dr. Ovid Young at 11:30 a.m. Interment will take place following services at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. In lieu of flowers memorials to College Church of the Nazarene c/o Nazarene Missions would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.