Will was born on September 21, 1974, in San Antonio, TX, to Bill and Phyllis Beever and grew up on the family farm in Pearsall, Texas. The youngest of three children, and the only boy, he naturally gravitated toward helping his dad. That is how, at an early age, he successfully removed every doorknob in the family’s home and later repurposed an old Bronco with his cousin, Adam.
Will also inherited Bill’s love of flying. His interest in piloting grew while attending Texas A&M University, where he pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering. He took flying lessons at a local airport and earned his pilot’s license before earning his degree. Following in his father’s footsteps, Will was a member of the Corps of Cadets and Company A-1. His Corps buddies have remained some of his best friends to date.
After graduation, Will remained in College Station and began flying as a private pilot for a local businessman. The two became good friends, and Will’s flying career was born. During this time, Will began dating Meredith, the love of his life. The two were married on January 8, 2005. Had he survived, they would have celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary this year.
Will always had the desire to do and be more. In 2006, he and Meredith opened Avolar Corp and Avolar Maintenance, providing aircraft management, pilot services, and aircraft maintenance to plane owners in the Brazos Valley. While growing their businesses, Will and Meredith also decided to grow their family, and in 2008, William Duane III (“Trey”) was born. Eighteen months later, in 2009, Garrett Howard was added. Their family was finally complete in 2015, with the addition of a baby girl, Emma Lorraine. After Emma was born, Will and Meredith sold their businesses, and Will accepted a flying position with Saturn Aviation in Austin. He flew for Saturn for five years, earning the title of Chief Pilot in April 2021 and Director of Operations in December of that year. In June 2022, Will fulfilled his dream of being hired to fly for FedEx and began aircraft training on the MD11. He was still training when he learned he had esophageal cancer, and his career was put on hold.
Those who knew Will quickly learned about his deep loyalty to his friends and family, generous spirit, and kindness. They might not have known that he also had an extremely high IQ and could teach himself to do anything. His passion and desire to learn and do was passed on to his son, Garrett, and his love of engine rebuilding and working with his hands was passed on to his oldest, Trey. And in the quiet, softer moments, he found his cuddle partner in his baby girl, Emma.
Will was passionate about many things, but nothing mattered more than his wife and kids. Despite traveling around the world and being gone for weeks and sometimes months, Will knew that he would get a call from Meredith ten minutes after landing. Will was Meredith’s absolute best friend, advisor, confidant, stress reliever, wine-drinking buddy, Aggie football-watching partner, and the absolute love of her life. Despite all his accomplishments and skills, Will valued his children and their achievements and activities more than anything else. He loved attending Garrett’s band concerts, watching Trey’s athletic teams compete, and watching Emma perform at dance recitals. His involvement with his children also included attending regular events at their school, New Braunfels Christian Academy. Will was asked to join the NBCA Board of Trustees, where he served from 2020 to the present.
Will is survived by his wife of 18 years, Meredith; sons Trey and Garrett, and daughter Emma; mother, Phyllis Beever; and sisters Bethany (Shan) Jenkins and Britany (Brad) Just, as well as brother-in-law Jeff (Susie) Shipley and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Beever, his uncle Gus Beever and his aunt, Susie Beever.
A celebration of Will’s life will be held on Saturday, January 21, at 10 am at Oakwood Baptist Church in New Braunfels, Texas. Burial will follow in Pearsall, Texas.
Those wishing to honor Will’s memory are encouraged to donate to his children’s school, New Braunfels Christian Academy, 220 FM 1863, New Braunfels, Texas 78132, or online at nbcatx.org.
