William Samuel Beam III

Sam was born on July 20, 1933, to Sam Beam and Thelma Milner Beam and was raised on a dairy farm near Potosi, south of Abilene. Sam graduated from Abilene High then attended Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) where he played the baritone in the Cowboy Band and was the bullwhip artist for the halftime shows and parades throughout Texas. He received a bachelor of arts and bachelor of music while attending HSU. Sam also served in the U.S. Army from July 1955 to April 1957.

While pursuing his music degrees, Sam met the love of his life, Carolyn Grace Morrow, and they were married on June 17, 1961. The two of them worked as a couple to serve in the music ministry in several Baptist churches including First Baptist churches in Eastland, Ballinger, Coleman, Gatesville and Haslet. While serving at Haslet, Sam pursued his master's in music at the Southwestern Theological Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth and continued his music ministry in various Baptist and Methodist churches until retirement. Sam was also an accomplished diesel mechanic for 30-plus years and was known as "Mr. Fix-it" among family and friends.

Sam was committed to other areas of public service including Haslet City Council member, PTA president and Haslet Little League president. As a member of the City Council, Sam was honored to be a part of the development and planning of the Alliance Airport area.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Fairy Beam Orr.

Survivors: He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Beam; four children, the joy of his life, Bill Beam and wife, Cathy, Betsy Woods and husband, Bob, Tigi Steward and husband, Doug, and Tammy Beam Malone and John Doak; and six grandchildren, Brad Beam, Bobby Woods, Ryan Beam, Brayden Woods, Kimberly Beam and Kristy Beam.

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HASLET -- William Samuel "Sam" Beam III of Haslet, 80, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 18, 2014.

Funeral: 4 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, Leonard Memorial Chapel, 800 W. 5th St., Fort Worth, 76102.

Graveside service: 1 p.m. Monday, March 24, in Eagle Colony Cemetery on FM 1750 (Oldham Ln.), south of Abilene. Dr. Bill Longsworth will officiate all services. Visitation: with the family will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel.

Memorials: The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the National Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org, or 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601.

Sam was born on July 20, 1933, to Sam Beam and Thelma Milner Beam and was raised on a dairy farm near Potosi, south of Abilene. Sam graduated from Abilene High then attended Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) where he played the baritone in the Cowboy Band and was the bullwhip artist for the halftime shows and parades throughout Texas. He received a bachelor of arts and bachelor of music while attending HSU. Sam also served in the U.S. Army from July 1955 to April 1957.

While pursuing his music degrees, Sam met the love of his life, Carolyn Grace Morrow, and they were married on June 17, 1961. The two of them worked as a couple to serve in the music ministry in several Baptist churches including First Baptist churches in Eastland, Ballinger, Coleman, Gatesville and Haslet. While serving at Haslet, Sam pursued his master's in music at the Southwestern Theological Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth and continued his music ministry in various Baptist and Methodist churches until retirement. Sam was also an accomplished diesel mechanic for 30-plus years and was known as "Mr. Fix-it" among family and friends.

Sam was committed to other areas of public service including Haslet City Council member, PTA president and Haslet Little League president. As a member of the City Council, Sam was honored to be a part of the development and planning of the Alliance Airport area.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Fairy Beam Orr.

Survivors: He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Beam; four children, the joy of his life, Bill Beam and wife, Cathy, Betsy Woods and husband, Bob, Tigi Steward and husband, Doug, and Tammy Beam Malone and John Doak; and six grandchildren, Brad Beam, Bobby Woods, Ryan Beam, Brayden Woods, Kimberly Beam and Kristy Beam.

Arrangements under the direction of Shannon Rufe Snow Drive Funeral Chapel, Fort Worth, TX.