Published August 18, 2016 - Press Enterprise
William Rockafeller Beyer, 93, of 24 Elm St. in Danville, passed away at his residence on Monday, Aug. 15, 2016.
Born in Danville on July 5, 1923, he was the son of the late Carl Beyer and Lorraine (Rockafeller) Beyer Manning. He resided in Danville for most of his life and was a graduate of Danville Area High School’s Class of 1941.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Jan. 21, 1942. He trained as a glider pilot and then a fighter pilot. On Sept. 27, 1944, he became an ace pilot in one day (shooting down five German planes in one mission) using a Mustang E9-Y during World War II. Captain Beyer returned to the U.S. in January 1945 with nine confirmed victories and 87 combat missions. He was awarded the Silver Star; the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Congressional Gold Medal.
He married Elizabeth “Bettye” Josephine Pope on April 12, 1945, at the Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Ark. He was married for 71 years. He moved back to Danville in November 1951 and worked as an instrument mechanic at Merck & Company for 33 years.
William designed and built his own home. He was an accomplished woodworker and carpenter like his ancestors. He turned out many beautiful bowls, candlesticks, and napkin rings on a lathe. His best project was the cross above the altar in Trinity United Methodist Church, where he was a lifelong member. He loved to hunt, fish, and collect Aladdin lamps. He enjoyed restoring a Hudson pickup truck, and Ultra van camper, and a Mercury Turnpike Cruiser.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Betty Beverly Redmann and Patricia Ann Weaver.
He is survived by his wife, Bettye; two daughters: Carolyn J. Heller and her husband, Richard, of Danville, and Beverly J. Beyer of Camden, Del.; a son: William R. “Rocky” Beyer and wife, Monica, of Danville; six grandchildren: Denise J. Heller, Alisa C. Thomas, Jeffrey S. Heller, Aaron R. Beyer, Brenda K. Web and Marcie C. Wintersteen; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at Brady Funeral Home, 320 Church St., Danville, with his pastor, the Rev. Ronald S. French, of Trinity United Methodist Church, and the Rev. C. Rayvon Hilliard officiating. Friends and family may call at Brady Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Danville, at the convenience of the family.
William Rockafeller Beyer, 93, of 24 Elm St. in Danville, passed away at his residence on Monday, Aug. 15, 2016.
Born in Danville on July 5, 1923, he was the son of the late Carl Beyer and Lorraine (Rockafeller) Beyer Manning. He resided in Danville for most of his life and was a graduate of Danville Area High School’s Class of 1941.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Jan. 21, 1942. He trained as a glider pilot and then a fighter pilot. On Sept. 27, 1944, he became an ace pilot in one day (shooting down five German planes in one mission) using a Mustang E9-Y during World War II. Captain Beyer returned to the U.S. in January 1945 with nine confirmed victories and 87 combat missions. He was awarded the Silver Star; the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Congressional Gold Medal.
He married Elizabeth “Bettye” Josephine Pope on April 12, 1945, at the Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Ark. He was married for 71 years. He moved back to Danville in November 1951 and worked as an instrument mechanic at Merck & Company for 33 years.
William designed and built his own home. He was an accomplished woodworker and carpenter like his ancestors. He turned out many beautiful bowls, candlesticks, and napkin rings on a lathe. His best project was the cross above the altar in Trinity United Methodist Church, where he was a lifelong member. He loved to hunt, fish, and collect Aladdin lamps. He enjoyed restoring a Hudson pickup truck, and Ultra van camper, and a Mercury Turnpike Cruiser.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Betty Beverly Redmann and Patricia Ann Weaver.
He is survived by his wife, Bettye; two daughters: Carolyn J. Heller and her husband, Richard, of Danville, and Beverly J. Beyer of Camden, Del.; a son: William R. “Rocky” Beyer and wife, Monica, of Danville; six grandchildren: Denise J. Heller, Alisa C. Thomas, Jeffrey S. Heller, Aaron R. Beyer, Brenda K. Web and Marcie C. Wintersteen; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at Brady Funeral Home, 320 Church St., Danville, with his pastor, the Rev. Ronald S. French, of Trinity United Methodist Church, and the Rev. C. Rayvon Hilliard officiating. Friends and family may call at Brady Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Danville, at the convenience of the family.
Published August 18, 2016 - Press Enterprise
William Rockafeller Beyer, 93, of 24 Elm St. in Danville, passed away at his residence on Monday, Aug. 15, 2016.
Born in Danville on July 5, 1923, he was the son of the late Carl Beyer and Lorraine (Rockafeller) Beyer Manning. He resided in Danville for most of his life and was a graduate of Danville Area High School’s Class of 1941.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Jan. 21, 1942. He trained as a glider pilot and then a fighter pilot. On Sept. 27, 1944, he became an ace pilot in one day (shooting down five German planes in one mission) using a Mustang E9-Y during World War II. Captain Beyer returned to the U.S. in January 1945 with nine confirmed victories and 87 combat missions. He was awarded the Silver Star; the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Congressional Gold Medal.
He married Elizabeth “Bettye” Josephine Pope on April 12, 1945, at the Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Ark. He was married for 71 years. He moved back to Danville in November 1951 and worked as an instrument mechanic at Merck & Company for 33 years.
William designed and built his own home. He was an accomplished woodworker and carpenter like his ancestors. He turned out many beautiful bowls, candlesticks, and napkin rings on a lathe. His best project was the cross above the altar in Trinity United Methodist Church, where he was a lifelong member. He loved to hunt, fish, and collect Aladdin lamps. He enjoyed restoring a Hudson pickup truck, and Ultra van camper, and a Mercury Turnpike Cruiser.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Betty Beverly Redmann and Patricia Ann Weaver.
He is survived by his wife, Bettye; two daughters: Carolyn J. Heller and her husband, Richard, of Danville, and Beverly J. Beyer of Camden, Del.; a son: William R. “Rocky” Beyer and wife, Monica, of Danville; six grandchildren: Denise J. Heller, Alisa C. Thomas, Jeffrey S. Heller, Aaron R. Beyer, Brenda K. Web and Marcie C. Wintersteen; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at Brady Funeral Home, 320 Church St., Danville, with his pastor, the Rev. Ronald S. French, of Trinity United Methodist Church, and the Rev. C. Rayvon Hilliard officiating. Friends and family may call at Brady Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Danville, at the convenience of the family.
William Rockafeller Beyer, 93, of 24 Elm St. in Danville, passed away at his residence on Monday, Aug. 15, 2016.
Born in Danville on July 5, 1923, he was the son of the late Carl Beyer and Lorraine (Rockafeller) Beyer Manning. He resided in Danville for most of his life and was a graduate of Danville Area High School’s Class of 1941.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Jan. 21, 1942. He trained as a glider pilot and then a fighter pilot. On Sept. 27, 1944, he became an ace pilot in one day (shooting down five German planes in one mission) using a Mustang E9-Y during World War II. Captain Beyer returned to the U.S. in January 1945 with nine confirmed victories and 87 combat missions. He was awarded the Silver Star; the Distinguished Flying Cross; the Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Congressional Gold Medal.
He married Elizabeth “Bettye” Josephine Pope on April 12, 1945, at the Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Ark. He was married for 71 years. He moved back to Danville in November 1951 and worked as an instrument mechanic at Merck & Company for 33 years.
William designed and built his own home. He was an accomplished woodworker and carpenter like his ancestors. He turned out many beautiful bowls, candlesticks, and napkin rings on a lathe. His best project was the cross above the altar in Trinity United Methodist Church, where he was a lifelong member. He loved to hunt, fish, and collect Aladdin lamps. He enjoyed restoring a Hudson pickup truck, and Ultra van camper, and a Mercury Turnpike Cruiser.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Betty Beverly Redmann and Patricia Ann Weaver.
He is survived by his wife, Bettye; two daughters: Carolyn J. Heller and her husband, Richard, of Danville, and Beverly J. Beyer of Camden, Del.; a son: William R. “Rocky” Beyer and wife, Monica, of Danville; six grandchildren: Denise J. Heller, Alisa C. Thomas, Jeffrey S. Heller, Aaron R. Beyer, Brenda K. Web and Marcie C. Wintersteen; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at Brady Funeral Home, 320 Church St., Danville, with his pastor, the Rev. Ronald S. French, of Trinity United Methodist Church, and the Rev. C. Rayvon Hilliard officiating. Friends and family may call at Brady Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Danville, at the convenience of the family.
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