Wilbur "Bill" Beck

Wilbur “Bill” Beck , age 92, passed away Monday, June 20 at home under the care of his loving wife, Immie and Good Shepherd Hospice. Bill was born on April 17, 1924 to William and Anna Beck in Ames, Iowa. He was the youngest of five children. Bill grew-up on a farm near Boone, Iowa. He attended Napier, a country school that had multiple grades in the same classroom. Along with his farm chores, he played on the school basketball and baseball teams. He graduated from Napier in 1942. He was offered a baseball contract by the St. Louis Cardinals, but like so many men of his generation, he joined the military service, specifically, the Navy. He served on the aircraft carrier, USS Bennington in the Pacific. After the war ended, he worked as a truck mechanic. During a trip to Lake Okoboji, he met Immogene Crawford, who was visiting the lake from Des Moines. They were married on June 5, 1948. They made their home in Des Moines until they moved permanently to Lakeland, Florida in 2005.

Bill was very much a “people” person. He genuinely cared for people, and it was reciprocal. People liked and trusted Bill. That fact, and wanting to provide for his family more that he thought he could as a mechanic, led him to become an insurance salesman. He started with American Family Insurance in the mid 1950’s. He was very successful salesman. By the early 1960’s, he bought a District of Farmer’s Insurance Group. He stayed with Farmer’s until he retired in 1986.

The “farmer” never left Bill. He maintained a big garden at his home in Des Moines. Immie would can or freeze much of what the garden produced for winter use. He was also a skilled woodworker. He made tables, chairs, table trays, shelving units, entertainment centers and especially many, many toys for his grandchildren.

Since Bill was athletic and had become a successful salesman, it was only natural that he would take up golf. He started playing in the 1960’s and played to the end of his life. He also enjoyed shuffling and bowling with his friends from the park he lived in.

A memorial service will be held in Lakeland at 11:00 am on Monday, June 27th, at Grace Lutheran Church. A lunch will be served following the service in the hall.

Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, Immie, who cared for him in his last days. Also survived by his three children, Steve (Lithea) Beck of Lakeland, Stan (Carol) Beck of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Susan (Clarence) Weihs of Urbandale, Iowa. He had 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents. William and Anna, brother Clarence and sister-in-law Betty, brother Vincent and sister-in-law Nadine, sister Evelyn Gray and brother-in-law Ed, sister Helen Benzer and brother-in-law Ben.

Contributions can be made to Grace Lutheran Church or Good Shepherd Hospice. The family wants to give a special thanks to the “Poppy” team at Good Shepherd Hospice. Arrangements are being made by Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home of Auburndale, Florida.