William “Bill” Phillip Beer, 91, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on January 24, 2018. Bill was a man of very strong faith, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Bill was born April 4th, 1926, in WaKeeney, KS to Wenzel and Anna (Honas) Beer. He married Martha Mae Augustine on October 17, 1949, spending the majority of their lives in WaKeeney before her passing on January 5, 2016.
Bill was a devoted, longtime member of Christ the King Catholic Church where he was actively involved as a Eucharistic Minister, member of the Knights of Columbus and became a 4th Degree Knight on October 12, 1958. He started Bill’s Woodworking in the early 1950s and spent the next 60 years building and remodeling homes. Bill was also a partner in WaKeeney Redi-Mix. As his children became involved in activities, Bill served as a Boy Scout Leader, baseball coach, and enjoyed attending athletic and music events. He loved tending to his garden, hunting, fishing and making his delicious BBQ chicken and homemade ice cream for family and friends. He always kept his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren close to his heart and prayed the rosary daily for them. Bill was a wonderful role-model as to the importance of hard work, honesty, and belief in God.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Bernadette (Tom) Crayton of La Grande, OR, Arlin (Debbie) Beer of Wichita, KS, Daniel Beer of New York, NY, Sheila (Tim) Shaw of Wichita, KS; six grandchildren: Tadd (Sarah) Crayton of Austin, TX, Shandi (Brian) Ricciotti of Laguna Niguel, CA, Kellen Beer of Pueblo, CO, Connor Beer of Denver, CO, Arisa Shaw of Kansas City, MO, and Casey Beer of St. Paul, MN; four great-grandchildren: Concetta and Valentino Ricciotti, Abigale Crayton and Eden Eberle; along with nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Martha of 66 years of marriage, brothers Joe and Ignatz, and sisters Theresa Aschenbrenner, Mary Bryant, and Elizabeth Heide Stecklein.
Rosary will be at 9:00 a.m., visitation at 9:30 a.m. and the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27th, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials made to Christ the King Catholic Church or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, KS. Donations made to the church or hospice may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
The family would like to thank the staff at Chaucer Estates Assisted Living and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion provided.