William Walter Beshears Jr

William Walter Beshears, Jr. a resident of Montgomery, AL passed away Thursday, May 31, 2012. Visitation will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2012 followed by services at 3:00 p.m. at Leak Memory Chapel. Walter was a WWII veteren,serving his country proudly as a naval radio operator aboard the USS Wasp. After the war, he returned to his home state of Alabama where he married Rebecca Phillips and attended Auburn University (then Alabama Polytechnic Institute); earning his BS in Game Management and MS in Wildlife Biology. His career as biologist and water fowl specialist with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources spanned a quarter century. “Walt’s” contributions to his chosen profession were numerous and in 1983 and 2008 received ceritificates of appreciation from the Alabama Chapter of the Wildlike Society of which he was a founding member. Walter was an accomplished outdoorsman who shared his knowledge and expertise freely with over three generations. He was widely known as one of the finest turkey hunters in the Southeast. His stories of woodland adventures will be remembered by many. He was an avid gardener and loved to share the bounty of his efforts with friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Phillips Beshears of 65 years; children (spouses), Buddy (Linda) Beshears, Robbie (John) Hackman and Ginger Beshears; grandchildren, Amy Beshears White, Amanda (Steven) Cook and Blake Beshears; great-grandchildren, Katelyn Beshears, Clay White Calliope and Brock Cook.