James "Bill" W. Beck

ames W. "Bill" Beck, 85, of La Jose passed away peacefully on June 21, 2024 at his home.

Born Jan. 27, 1939 in Burnside Township, he was a son of the late Alden W. and Alberta M. (Yingling) Beck.

He attended Shephard School and Harmony Joint High School while working on his family farm. Bill then starting working at Cherry Lane Dairy in Westover. There he had countless memorable good times.

He signed up for the U.S. Army in 1961 just like his dad and brothers. From basic training in Camp Hill to being active in the Reserves at Ft. Knox, he was honorably discharged as a sharpshooter and sergeant in 1966.

Bill headed to Cleveland, Ohio to visit with his sisters and to explore additional work opportunities. It was in Cleveland where he went on a blind date and met the love of his life, Martha Jones. Martha knew this hardworking, good looking, young man was the one for her. Bill and Martha were married Dec. 7, 1963 and settled in Cleveland. They just celebrated 60 years together.

Throughout his life, Bill was no stranger to hard work. While in the Reserves he worked at Kenny's shoe factory in Harrisburg. Then in Ohio as an elevator repair man, employee at a paint shop, and a janitor at a local Ohio school. In 1963, Bill accepted a job as a light bulb technician at General Electric in Cleveland. He loved his work and co-workers at GE and continued their friendship into retirement.

Bill and Martha decided to start building their forever home in La Jose and raise their kids in the rural hills of Pennsylvania. Bill left his job at GE and started working for Benjamin Coal Company for almost 10 years until the company started to dissolve. He was then asked if he would return to GE. He accepted the offer and would make the weekend commute back to Pennsylvania to be with his family.

Many memories of Cleveland including corn beef sandwiches, bowling, watching the Blue Angels air show, Erie fishing trips, and custard stops. After 25 years at GE he officially retired as a light bulb A-mechanic and returned to Pennsylvania.

Despite his many hours of work, Bill still had many interests and hobbies. In his younger years he could be found skating at the local roller rink, square dancing, riding his motorcycles, or driving fast cars. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, planting his garden, creating wedgies at the Choo Choo's Pizza trailer, restoring his truck, and tractor pulling with his family.

Bill was a member of Middleburg Heights Church of God. He was a FFA/4-H alumni and a member of the Coalport Masonic Lodge 574 for 40 years.

Bill is survived by wife Martha and their three children, Carl Beck (Tracy), Sherry Hughes (Tom), and Melissa Brothers. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren, Molly and Katie Barrett, Regina Ciamacco (Robert), Rochelle Bartley (Brian), Brandt Beck (Amber), Chelsey Chambers (Curtis), Macy Hughes, Marissa Brothers, Mariah Brothers, and Kacey Brothers; five great-grandchildren, Brock and Brynn Bartley, Eastyn and Tripp Ciamacco and Tucker Chambers; his siblings, Gladys Mitchell, Norma Davis, Dolores Pry(Sam), and Alden W. Beck (Bernie); brother-in-law, Joseph Brandt; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, mother Violet Beck; son, Tom Barrett; and son-in- law, Kurt Brothers; siblings, Chester Beck (Eunice, Katherine), Carl Beck (Gladys), Ruth McCune (Paul), Helen Mulhollen (Carl Young, Charles), Elizabeth Knight (Norman), Marjorie Hull (Bill), Regina Westover (Richard), and Alta Mae Brandt; two brothers-in-law, Joseph Mitchell and Larry Davis, Sr.

Bill will always be remembered for being a loving husband, dad, pappy and great pappy.

Friends will be received at the Lloyd-Dimmick Funeral Home Inc., 91 Rose St., Irvona from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 and 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Calvary Evangelical Church, 2922 Sylvis Rd., Cherry Tree.

Funeral Service will follow at 11 a.m. at the church.

Interment will be at East Ridge Cemetery

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