Born in Scooba, Mississippi in 1932, William Beck rode a Texas oil rig into Poplar, Montana at the age of 20 and met his bride-to-be that very night at the Fort Theatre. He departed with angels on August 27, 2014 with Pat at his side. Pat and Bill were married for 60 years.
Touring in Europe while Bill was serving as military policeman in the US Army, Bill and Pat were stationed in Germany. After his return to the States he worked days for Anderson’s Appliance, and nights for the Poplar City Police. He opened Beck’s Electric in 1965 and sold appliances, boats, motorcycles, and snowmobiles. His father-in-law, Roy Richards, operated the gun shop in the front of Bill’s store. He later sold the electrical part of the business, keeping the gun shop and running a farm/ranch north of Poplar and in the river bottom. He was a member of the Poplar Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce. Bill was elected mayor of the City of Poplar and served from 1989 to 1994. He loved his job, and regretted that he had to resign when he moved out of the city limits.
Pat and Bill have 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Bill leaves behind many beloved family members and friends. He will be greatly missed.
Services are planned for Tuesday, September 2 at the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar, where Bill served as an active member and officer. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. with the funeral service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at the Poplar City Cemetery. Memorials can be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, the Poplar Cemetery fund, the Poplar Hospital, or the charity of your choice. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 2, 2014
First Presbyterian Church
217 C. St. W
Poplar, Montana 59255
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 2, 2014
First Presbyterian Church
217 C. St. W.
Poplar, Montana 59255
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 2, 2014
First Presbyterian Church
217 C. St. W
Poplar, Montana 59255
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 2, 2014
First Presbyterian Church
217 C. St. W.
Poplar, Montana 59255
Jim & Sue Patch says
Dear Pat and Kids,
My heart is full of emptiness at Bill’s passing. We will pray for him and you always.
Love and prayers, Jim & Sue
Geoff Hagadone says
My sincerest condolences to the family. I very much enjoyed the times that were spent with Bill. It didn’t matter if it was at the farm or at the store. Bill was a very kind and gentle man.
Dohn & Maggie Ratliff says
Our deepest sympathies are with you! You were there for us at a time when we would have not made it with out you! God bless you! Pat, know you are in our prayers. We love you dearly!
Dohn & Maggie Ratliff
David & Chong Ae Boyd says
Mrs. Beck:
Sorry to hear about the passing of Bill, I and our legion post has done a lot of business with him over the years, he was always helpful and had smile on his face.
Emily Patch says
Pat, my thoughts are with you and the family. Bill was synonymous with you and Poplar. He will be missed.
You two had and have a long, sweet love. You are strong, Pat, and you will soldier on.
My love,
Emily
Patricia Toavs says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Pat and your family. I have lots of great memories of Bill and the family. God bless you and your family.
Lynn Engles says
Pat and family: I am so sorry for your loss. I want you to know that you and all your family are in my prayers daily with special prayers for Bill. He was a remarkable man.
Lynn Engles
Jason & Nathelle Frederick says
Dear Pat and Family,
Our deepest condolences to your family. May the comfort of God help you through this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jason & Nathelle Frederick
Darlyn Grainger says
Pat, Royal, Kris, Rick and grandkids, I am so sorry for your loss of your husband, father, and grandfather, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Laura, Jens, Kyle & Emily says
Pat, Rick, Royal and Chris,
Please know you are all in our prayers and thoughts. Please know my heart is aching for you as well as our community who will greatly miss Bill’s warm handshake, great smile and good laugh. He joins many favorite people in heaven and is probably entertaining them well.
Love, Laura
Kevin and Shawn Kenelty and family says
Pat and family,
Our sympathies to each of you. I know that it has been a courageous road that you have all been down. We will miss Bill and his ever-caring way of greeting all people. One of my very favorite memories is the morning of our wedding when Kevin stopped by the store with his groomsmen looking for a pair of black socks, as one of the groomsmen had forgotten to bring a pair. Of course you didn’t sell socks at the store, but that didn’t stop Bill from going home and bringing back a brand new pair of black socks! He will truly be missed. ~~Kevin, Shawn and kids~~
Kelly Reinlasoder says
My deepest condolences to the Beck family. Mr. Beck was a great asset to Poplar and will be greatly missed.
Chuck Trinder says
We saw Bill and Pat a little over a month ago. He was in good spirits and very friendly as he always was. Our friendship and prayers go out to Pat. The friendship you and Bill provided for us will never be forgotten. God Bless you.
Lorrie (Iverson) Maki says
Dearest Pat & Family- what fond memories in my heart of Bill and all of you! Your beautiful home and family- Bill’s happy countenance and his offer to be the treasurer of my fan club- how could I not love that. The two of you enjoyed many, many happy years and the love of your family. My prayers go out to you and I’ll sing a song for Bill this Sunday. With all my love and fondest memories, Lorrie
Laurel Boulds-Fisk says
My heart is saddened and I feel your great loss. I have some of greatest childhood memories growing up just down the street with the Beck family! Bill will be greatly missed by all that knew him, he had such a kind spirit! You are all in my thoughts and prayers!
Keri Berg Furthmyre says
Pat, Family & Friends,
So Sorry to hear about the passing of Bill. he was a wonderful man that I looked up too. I pray your days to come get easier knowing he is watching over us all now.
love,
keri
Brad and Lee AnnTande says
Pat
Our condolences go out to you and family…
Keith Bryan says
Bill was the kind of friend that everyone should strive to be. He always went the extra mile
to do what was right and never once did I here of him wanting or excepting any praise or honors for anything. Only God will know all of the good things he did for the community and people. He will ne missed by many.
Larry Reinlasoder says
Where do you begin when commenting on the memories of Bill Beck? I knew him and Pat since my childhood. My aunt and uncle Tony and Anne Stevens lived next door to Pat’s Mom and Dad. I remember Bill’s store. He was a good person who believed in his community and treated all with respect. My late father spoke highly of him. Pat was so kind to help at the Presbyterian Church when we had services for my parents. My heart goes out to Pat and the family. God Bless you all.
Traci LeVay-Holt says
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Harry Swank Family says
Hard to see these pioneers of the community pass on to their eternal home….but what a hope we have when we know the Lord…so thankful for the peace that brings.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss.
Love from the Swanks
Vi, Ken, Barb, Don, Kathy, Carol, and Wanda and families
Billie Jean McClammy Norgaard says
Too many memories to share in this message, but all of them good ones. He was so good to me whenever I was at the house with Rick. Many good meals at their table. Bill never did anything half way! and god help you if you overcooked his steak!! Such a hardworking man all his life. He’s getting after it in heaven too, I just know it.
Robert E Wynia M.D. says
Dear Pat,
Our condolences to you in this time of need. We never really got to know Bill as my course let away from Poplar. I didn’t know about his working in the oil field and may have met him there, but just don’t recall. I’m sure your fabric will carry you through this time in your life. We want to thank you for your care of my fathers grave over the years. If you think of it, send me your e-mail address.
If you ever get to Helena please stop by.
Love and caring–prayers from:
Bob & Winona
Suzanne Turnbull says
Dear Pat & Family, I am so sorry for your loss.
Cindy Alpert says
Dear Pat and family,
Poplar has lost a pillar of the community. He is sheltered safe within the arms of God.
God has His arms around you too.
Cindy Alpert, Bismarck
Doug and Ann Berg says
Thinking of you with fond memories of time spent at the farm.
Patrick and Linda Prescott says
Dear Pat and family–
We are so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He will leave a void not only in your family but in the community of Poplar as well. May you be comforted by all of the thoughts and prayers being sent up for you.
Patrick and Linda Prescott
Carol DeMarrias says
Oh Pat, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Bill will be missed.
Laurie Shafer says
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Beck family. I will miss saying hello to him and visiting. Mr. Beck goes way back to my childhood with Rick when we had what I thought was the best childhood ever (except for my dads passing), thank you for your contributions to this Mr. Beck, thank you for watching over us when we were young. In heaven another angel has got their wings. Hugs Rick and Pat and girls.
June Johnson Jensen says
Pat, Royal Chris, Rick and family
My deepest Sympathy to you all on the loss of your Husband , Father, Grandfather, and friend. he was a great guy and fought one heck of a fight. My least memory of him was a few years back stopping bye the pie social on main during wild west days He was out front visiting with Louie Krone, Guess they are visiting again now in Gods house. Will keep u all in my thoughts and prayers for the days ahead. Hugs to you all June Johnson Jensen and family
Lyle Harrison, MD says
Dearest Pat, Royal, Chris and Rick,
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to each of you. How difficult it is to lose the patriarch of your family. But what hope and peace Jesus brings, to all those who mourn. While I only knew Bill for a very short year, I quickly grew to love him for the man that he was. He became a surrogate grandfather to my son, and welcomed us into his family. We enjoyed the many stories and laughs we shared at the store and of course, lunches at The Buckhorn. I will miss my friend, but his memory will always live on in my heart. My God bless each of you.
vann mitchell says
Pat and family,
The North Carolina hunters are very sad to hear of your loss. In our trips to Montana over the last 12 years, Bill was always a must visit. He always had the latest update and so generouly and kindly shared. He was one of those persons in life that you know you are lucky to come across. We will miss seeing him.
Vann
Susan C. Witte says
I found out just this past day that Bill Beck had passed away. I was sorry to know that he is gone. Like my folks, he was proud of his community and was a strong supporter of downtown Poplar. I have lots of great memories of the Becks, Edie Richards and my mother living across the street, Pat teaching me how to float on my back across the Poplar River, Kris and I getting into all kinds of adventures, Duck Lake trips – these are strong good thoughts. Know that all of you are loved.
Susan C. Witte
Wylie Costello says
I think he did good will-work with Dr. Swanson and a few other men.