William “Bill” Beverly of McKinney, Texas passed away on April 10, 2020 in McKinney, Texas at the age of 90. He was born on May 14, 1929 in Manhattan, New York. He was the son of the late Charles and Helen Beverly. Charles worked for JC Penney and moved the family to Brooklyn soon after Bill was born. Bill grew up playing street stick ball, playing Cowboys and Indians with his Red Ryder BB gun and had a dog named Checkey. He was also preceded in death by his beloved sister, Eleanor Schifano.
In 1946, as a junior in high school, Bill enlisted into the N.Y. State Guard 13th Infantry. He did general infantry training on weekend trips to Camp Smith in Peekskill, New York. After graduating from high school, he ventured out west and worked in the lumber industry driving a logging truck in Coos Bay, Oregon. He had a lot of stories to tell about fighting forest fires and deer hunting in Oregon. His unit was called to active service after the start of the Korean War in 1950. He deployed to Fort Bliss, Texas for training as a meteorologist. Later in 1950, he would do temporary duty as a rifle instructor for new recruits. During this time, Bill would experience an injury that caused significant hearing loss and was honorably discharged with disability in 1951.
Bill was a graduate of New York University. At NYU he met the love of his life, Jean Schaffer of Flushing, New York. They were married on February 9, 1957 and celebrated their 63rd anniversary this year. After college Bill went to work for New York Trust company. Bill and Jean would have two sons, William Jr. and Harry.
In 1964, the family moved to Matawan, New Jersey. Bill commuted to New York City and worked for Honeywell as a commercial heating and air-conditioning architect. Bill was an active father as a Scout Master in the Boy Scouts and took his sons camping and hiking. With the boys’ “help” he built a wooden canoe out of a kit and soon they were canoeing on the many rivers in New Jersey. Bill and Jean were very active in the community and helped to establish Calvary Baptist Church in Matawan.
In 1995, they retired to McKinney, Texas to be close to their grandchildren. Bill was an active member and deacon at First Baptist Church, McKinney. Bill is fondly remembered as always having a smile while greeting and meeting new people. He enjoyed studying the Bible and was a great defender of the faith.
Bill is survived by his wife, Jean Beverly of McKinney, Texas; sons, William Beverly, Jr. of McKinney and Harry Beverly and his wife, Laura of McKinney; and two grandchildren, Kristen Beverly of Dallas, Texas and Kyle Beverly and his wife, Paige of Edmond, Oklahoma.
Interment will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.