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Roll Call Tribute
William "Bill" Beck '42 September 17, 2012 9:21 AM updated: April 2, 2017 1:16 PM
Published in (San Antonio) Express-News on September 16, 2012
William James (Bill) Beck Jr.
BECK
William James (Bill) Beck Jr., Colonel, USAF (Ret.) of Colorado Springs, CO, formerly of San Antonio, Texas passed away on September 6, 2012 at the age of 91.
Bill Beck was born September 29, 1920 in Garland, Texas to William James Beck Sr. and Allie Rhea (McCallum) Beck. Bill graduated from Pecos High School in 1938 and enrolled in Texas A&M where he was a member of the Aggie Band and a Yell Leader. His junior year he volunteered for the Army Air Forces and was commissioned as a 2nd. Lieutenant and pilot on October 31, 1941.
Lt. Beck was attached to the 5th Air Force where he piloted the Douglas A-20A Havoc with the 89th Attack Squadron, US Army Air Corp. He participated in 54 missions before returning home in 1943 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his work in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea and an Air Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster.
Bill graduated from A&M in 1947 with a BS degree in business. Returning to active duty in 1952 as a squadron commander at Mather AFB. This was followed by assignments to Japan, CincPAC in Honolulu, the Air War College, the Pentagon, and the Air Training Command. In 1964 he earned an MA in International Affairs from George Washington University. Upon retiring from the USAF in 1969, Col. Beck settled in Colorado Springs working many years in the oil business as a drilling fluids salesman. Bill remained an active pilot into his 90's when, in the summer of 2011, he piloted a restored B-25.
Bill was a loyal and devoted Aggie, serving as a president of the San Antonio Aggie Club, president and board member of the Pikes Peak A&M Club, a director of the Texas A&M Band Association, and a lifetime member of the Association of Former Yell Leaders and The Endowed Century Club.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Elizabeth Jane McBain, and his sons Bruce (wife Terri) of Prince Frederick, MD, Brian (wife Amy) of San Antonio, TX, Brandon ( wife KarrLayn) of College Place, WA, as well grandchildren Joshua, Sabrina, Stayce, Kendall, Rachel, Kaitlyn, Gregory, and James.
Colonel Beck will be interred on Friday, September 28, 2012 at 2:00 pm in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX. His family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Museum of World War II Aviation, 755 Aviation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, of which Col. Beck was a Founding Member.
William James (Bill) Beck Jr.
BECK
William James (Bill) Beck Jr., Colonel, USAF (Ret.) of Colorado Springs, CO, formerly of San Antonio, Texas passed away on September 6, 2012 at the age of 91.
Bill Beck was born September 29, 1920 in Garland, Texas to William James Beck Sr. and Allie Rhea (McCallum) Beck. Bill graduated from Pecos High School in 1938 and enrolled in Texas A&M where he was a member of the Aggie Band and a Yell Leader. His junior year he volunteered for the Army Air Forces and was commissioned as a 2nd. Lieutenant and pilot on October 31, 1941.
Lt. Beck was attached to the 5th Air Force where he piloted the Douglas A-20A Havoc with the 89th Attack Squadron, US Army Air Corp. He participated in 54 missions before returning home in 1943 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his work in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea and an Air Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster.
Bill graduated from A&M in 1947 with a BS degree in business. Returning to active duty in 1952 as a squadron commander at Mather AFB. This was followed by assignments to Japan, CincPAC in Honolulu, the Air War College, the Pentagon, and the Air Training Command. In 1964 he earned an MA in International Affairs from George Washington University. Upon retiring from the USAF in 1969, Col. Beck settled in Colorado Springs working many years in the oil business as a drilling fluids salesman. Bill remained an active pilot into his 90's when, in the summer of 2011, he piloted a restored B-25.
Bill was a loyal and devoted Aggie, serving as a president of the San Antonio Aggie Club, president and board member of the Pikes Peak A&M Club, a director of the Texas A&M Band Association, and a lifetime member of the Association of Former Yell Leaders and The Endowed Century Club.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Elizabeth Jane McBain, and his sons Bruce (wife Terri) of Prince Frederick, MD, Brian (wife Amy) of San Antonio, TX, Brandon ( wife KarrLayn) of College Place, WA, as well grandchildren Joshua, Sabrina, Stayce, Kendall, Rachel, Kaitlyn, Gregory, and James.
Colonel Beck will be interred on Friday, September 28, 2012 at 2:00 pm in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX. His family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Museum of World War II Aviation, 755 Aviation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, of which Col. Beck was a Founding Member.
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