William L. Beat

William L. “Bill” Beat, 95, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away Monday May 29, 2017 surrounded by his loving family at the ProMedica Goerlich Center, Sylvania, Ohio. He was born in Toledo on April 29, 1922. Bill was preceded in death by his father Lawrence W. Beat, his mother Rosella Washburn Beat, his sister Jean Parke of Avon Lake, Ohio and his brother Richard Dick Beat of Battle Creek, Michigan. He is survived by his loving wife Derrill S. Beat of Sylvania, Ohio, his sons Robert D. Beat and his wife Ann of Lima, Ohio, Lawrence W. Beat of Mary Esther, Florida, Douglas N. Beat and his wife Sue of Holland, Ohio and his 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He married his sweetheart Derrill Smith of Newberry, South Carolina in 1946 when he was 24 and she was 18. Toledo has been their home ever since. They recently celebrated 70 years of wedded bliss. Bill graduated from Scott High School in 1940. During his high school years, he played clarinet in the band and was the school photographer. In the summer he was one of Doc Millers boys at YMCA Camp Storer in Jackson, Michigan. Known as the First Cowboy, Bills hard work was pivotal in receiving the camps first horses and establishing their fledgling stable in the late 1930s, leading to the robust horseback-riding program that continues today. Bill saw combat action during World War II as a Naval Electronics Technician First Class aboard the USS Corry (DD-463). His destroyer led the D-Day invasion off the coast of Normandy, France. Under intense German shoreline gunfire, his ship was sunk within the first hour. He profoundly treasured his service in the Navy and was a regular at his ships annual reunions over many years. He was honored to represent his shipmates in 1994 at a dinner hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the D-day landings at Guildhall, Portsmouth, England. Bill received an electrical engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1948. He was a highly respected and very esteemed Ohio professional electrical engineer for 40 years in Toledo. He held positions with the Electric Autolite Company for 15 years and the Toledo Edison Company (now FirstEnergy Corp) where he retired in 1987 after 24 years of service. At Edison he distinguished himself as an enthusiastic and very popular instructor of many seminars and electric power courses, called CARE$, for fellow engineers and local plant managers. He excelled in Edisons industrial sales department with his unwavering ethics of helpfulness and honesty, always converting difficult customers into grateful friends. Bill served as a volunteer on the Board of Trustees for the Goodwill Industries for 9 years in the 1980s advising on all things electrical. He was a longstanding member of Christ Presbyterian Church where he served several terms as a deacon and elder. But he most cherished his role as Sunday morning greeter before services. He always had a kind word and a hearty hug welcoming young and old. In retirement, Bill became fascinated by origami and developed considerable skill and artistry at folding paper creations. He and Derrill attended many major origami conferences over the years in San Francisco, New York City, England and France. He loved to share his folding skills with young students through his association with an Ann Arbor origami group. Bill had an immense heart and made friends easily. He always enjoyed a good story and a clever joke. Affectionately known to his grandchildren as Gran Gran, his hearty laugher made everyone happy. His charisma and beaming smile enriched the lives of all who knew him. Although a setting sun will bring darkness, Bill Beat will shine forever in our treasured memories. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday June 9, 2017 at Christ Presbyterian Church, 4225 Sylvania Ave., Toledo 43623. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to YMCA Camp Storer and Christ Presbyterian Church.