(March 7, 1936 - December 11, 2020)
11 Timothy 4:7: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Surrounded by his entire loving family, Bill Beverage, age 84, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, December 11, 2020, at the Fresno Heart Hospital. Bill was born to Glenn and Velma (Wright) Beverage, on March 7, 1936, in Anton, Texas. He was the son of a farmer and the firstborn of six children. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Velma Beverage, his beloved brother, Jim Beverage (Cecilia) Yorba Linda, CA, and his twin grandsons, Bryan and Brandon Epley. Bill’s surviving siblings are Helen Escobedo, (Banning, CA), Bob Beverage, (Vivian), Biggs, CA, Don Beverage, (Ginny), Yorba Linda, CA, and Linda Sidlinger, Clovis, CA.
Bill attended local schools in Dos Palos. He was a gifted athlete, a track star, and an outstanding football player for Dos Palos High School. Bill was “recruited” for Saint Mary’s College, but opted to decline the opportunity, putting the needs of his family first, due to his father falling ill, at which time he accepted the responsibility of working to care for the needs of his brothers and sisters.
Growing up and as an adult, Bill loved the outdoors. He was an active member of the 4-H Club during his growing up years. He worked diligently and Bill loved the great outdoors, enjoying camping and hiking! Hiking for miles in mountainous terrain was Bill’s love. One trip resulted in him rescuing a little seven-year old frail boy who had been lost for a day, carrying the lost boy for several miles, out of the wilderness on his back to safety. This exemplified Bill’s tender, compassionate, kind-hearted nature and concern for others, always putting others’ needs above his own. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed deer hunting in Colorado. Fly fishing was his passion. Bill was an expert marksman, making his own arrows, and developing and mastering his archery skills.
One of his favorite things to do was to watch his children and grandchildren play in competitive sports and he taught them the importance of learning how to lose as well as win. The lesson he taught all family members was that it did not matter whether you won or lost (though he lived to win), but the important thing was to do your absolute best! Success comes from giving life 110 percent in everything you do!
Bill leaves behind his loving devoted wife, Wilda J. (Mc Ree) Beverage, of over 66 years in Chowchilla, CA. Bill was a lifetime member of the Assemblies of God Denomination. He built and pastored a church in Le Grand, California, from 1963 – 1977. Mr. Beverage was an incredible man in his faith and served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Minister for a period of over sixty years, serving in churches in Madera, Le Grand, Chowchilla and Merced, CA. Supporting missionaries around the world, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, was his passion. Serving on the Bethany University Board of Trustees, (aka Bethany Bible College), located in Santa Cruz, CA, and promoting Christian higher education was his passion.
Mr. Beverage was a Building Contractor, “a true carpenter at heart”, doing much of the work himself, building churches, residential homes, and finally, duplexes, for a period of nearly 45 years, continuing to manage his own rental properties until the time of his passing. Building homes in Chowchilla, Le Grand, Merced, Gustine, Riverbank, Snelling, Mariposa, Dos Palos, Los Banos, Firebaugh, Cambria and Carmel, kept him on the “move” and contributed to his nicknames: “Iron Man”, “I Can Man” and “Papa Bear”!
Traveling with family was a highlight for Mr. Beverage. Some of his favorite places to visit were Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Lake Powell and parks such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier and his all time favorite, The Grand Canyon! Mr. Beverage took one last trip when he transitioned from this earth to heaven this past Friday morning.
Bill can be described as a loving, loyal and courageous son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, and finally, a “great-grandfather”. He will be greatly missed and irreplaceable, leaving behind his four daughters and their families: Connie Hadley (David), Sandi Hamilton (Jeff), Renee Epley (Rod), and Billi Olson (Eric). The six grandchildren he left behind are: Kristen (Epley) Wooten (Mike), Ryan Hamilton (Holly), Juliette (Hamilton) Gassaway (Levi), Cameron Epley (Holland), Matthew Beverage Hadley and Makala Olson. Mr. Beverage leaves behind five great-grandchildren: Brayden and Hudson Wooten, Huxley, Bowen and Anniston Hamilton. In addition, Bill leaves behind many cherished nephews and nieces, with whom he shared many happy times, coupled with lots of wonderful cousins and lifelong friends.
A celebration of life service is scheduled for Mr. Bill Beverage on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at 10:30 A.M. at Chowchilla First Assembly of God Church, located at 317 Orange Avenue, in Chowchilla, Ca.
A special thanks to Dr. Robit Sundrani and the entire nursing staff at Fresno Heart Hospital, for all the loving, quality care and always going the “extra mile” for our beloved father and grandfather.
A special thanks to Araceli (Gomez) Pineda and Sheila Seymour, two special caring ladies!
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Palm Dignity, Chowchilla, CA.
Donations can be made to Convoy of Hope, P.O. Box 1125, Springfield, MO 65801 or Faith Home Teen Challenge, P.O. Box 611, Turlock, CA 95381-0611 or Madera Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 642, Madera, CA, 95381-0611.
