Bill Beardsley of Southport in Mashpee, Massachusetts, passed away on February 21st at the age of 85. He was predeceased by his parents Lin and Joan Beardsley and his beloved grandson Thomas Beardsley.
Bill was born in Boston and moved to Wellesley at a young age. After graduating from Wellesley High School, Bill joined the US Coast Guard serving on buoy tender Spar, WLB-403. Upon his discharge, he attended Boston University and graduated with a business degree.
Bill then worked as Advertising Manager for H.E.Harris, a stamp collecting company, where he met his wife Marilyn. Later he was hired by Dow Jones and Company as Sales Manager for the Wall Street Journal. During his twenty-five years with Dow Jones, Bill headed the book division, Barron's, the National Observer and The Asian Wall Street Journal Weekly. Bill also served as President of the Sales Promotion Executive Association, both stateside and the international division.
A man of varied interests, Bill taught scuba-diving, was an excellent sailor, hunter and fisherman, won many photography awards, was a radio-controlled airplane enthusiast, and enjoyed showing his MG-TD with the Cape Cod Classics Car Club. After living in Matawan and Colts Neck, New Jersey, post-retirement, Bill and Marilyn divided time between Florida (first Marathon Key, then Duck Key and Ocala) and Cape Cod.
Bill was a US Coast Guard licensed Master and chartered his 28' Bertram "Escape" out of Falmouth Harbor for five years and guided in the Florida Keys leading one of his anglers to two IGFA world records. A member of the Outdoor Writers Association, he wrote a regular fishing column for the Falmouth Enterprise, broadcast fishing reports for WCIB and had articles published on various topics in many publications. Bill was an avid metal detector, enjoyed gold prospecting and served as President of the Ocala Metal Detector Club. Bill especially enjoyed searching for artifacts which, after researching, he often donated to local historical societies and museums.
Bill endured many medical issues, the last involving the removal of his voice box due to cancer. He spoke with an electronic voice box and decided to turn the life-changing obstacle into something positive. Bill presented at middle and high schools as the "poster boy" for not smoking. His presentations were well-received and he also served as President of Nu-Voice Club a support group for patients with laryngectomees and Bill frequently visited with hospital patients who were faced with similar challenges.
Bill leaves his wife, Marilyn, of 57 years, sons Bruce (Marianne) of Medfield and North Falmouth, Massachusetts and Brian (Tracy) of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and four surviving grandchildren, Lilly, William, Tess and Lindsey. Additionally, Bill leaves behind special lifetime friends, James Gaines, Kim Bitterman (Gaines) and Stacy Pibl (Gaines) all of New Jersey.
Per his request, there will be no funeral, but friends are invited to call at Nickerson & Bourne Funeral Home, Route 6A, Sandwich, Massachusetts on Sunday, February 25, 2018 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to benefit Boston Cured Cancer Club for Laryngectomees, Mass Eye and Ear Hospital, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114.
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