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Paul Parker Beardsley
11/22/1912 — 08/01/2006
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Sapulpa Creek, Oklahoma
Paul Parker Beardsley
Paul Parker Beardsley, 93, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on August 1, 2006 in Richland, Washington. Paul, son of Paul Commodore and Esther Hillerman Beardsley was born in Sapulpa Creek, OK November 22, 1912. Paul was the oldest of four boys, John Rolland Beardsley, deceased, Richard Hillerman Beardsley of Garland, TX and George Oliver Beardsley of Dallas, TX. Paul married Mary Elizabeth Betty Hinchsliff of Oklahoma City on November 25, 1936. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty and their son Charles Edward.
Paul is survived by his daughters Paula Beth Glenn Bill of Richland, Janice Lee Detrick Larry of Barnwell, S.C., Nancy Ann Lucke Bill of Pasco and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Betty Beardsley of Kennewick. He was Grampie or Poppy to 13 loving grandchildren and G-Poppa to 16 wonderful great grandchildren.
Paul served honorably in the United States Navy in WWII and retired as Chief of Patrol at Hanford in 1977. He served two terms on the Richland City Council. He was active in the Richland Jaycees in the 1940s and 50s and a long time member of the Atomic City Kiwanis Club. He also was a member of American Legion Post 115. Paul was a lover of big band music and led a small dance band in Oklahoma in the 1940s and sold musical instruments for a time and later sold records for Decca records. He was known to enjoy his big band music at the top notch of the volume control saying he wanted to feel like he was standing in front of the band.
Contributions can be made to the Atomic City Kiwanis Paul Beardsley Memorial Scholarship for RiversEdge High School students through Atomic City Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 4535, West Richland, WA 99353.
A gathering will be held at Einans Funeral Home on Friday, August 4, 2006 from 5:00 until 8:00 pm. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Richland Nazarene Church, 2500 Jericho Road at 4:00 on Saturday, August 5.
I was saddened to visit tricityherald.com Tuesday night and see that I lost my neighbor across the street. Mr. Beardsley had passed away. I immediately called my wife Traci, who is working this summer at Mount Rainier National Park, to tell her of the news.
We moved to Sacramento Boulevard in 1999, and that following spring we were astounded by the amount of energy possessed by our kindly but fiesty elderly neighbor across the street — Mr. Beardsley. He worked long and hard on his yard and garden, and the hotter it was, the more he seemed to enjoy it. And for an 86-year-old bald guy who looked like Mr. Clean, he didn’t look too bad in a Speedo — which was about all he had on during the summers. Mr. Beardsley and I would occasionally commiserate about a couple of our neighbors who didn’t take any pride in their yards.
Mr. Beardsley was quite a character. He had a great laugh and drove this black muscle car that would rumble out of the driveway around 6:30 each morning. At the time, I suspected he was bound for the Spudnut Shop. However, I learned that he was more likely headed to a Kiwanis meeting. A couple of my friends are long-time Kiwanis members in Kennewick, and they told me of Mr. Beardsley’s amazing record of perfect attendance. That also said that he made a practice of visiting other Kiwanis meetings, not just those in Richland.
Traci and I had no idea just how important Mr. Beardsley was to Richland’s history until I started reading about him that night on tricityherald.com. The story in the newspaper that next morning describing his legacy certainly warranted the 60-point headline.
He took great pride in the United States flag, and I hope that his impressive illuminated flagpole will remain for as long my wife and I live in our home. It serves as a fitting monument to a great American who served his country and his community in so many ways.
Sincerely,
Eric Degerman
Paula, Nancy, Janice, and families,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad, but he is in peace now. The Clebration of Life yesterday was awesome! I loved the picture of him in his motorized cart and doing the lawn edging. That was great! Just like him to live his life to the fullest, he really appreciated life. WOW!!What a ride he had in life!
God Bless you all,
Patti
Dear Paula, Nancy and Janice,
I am so sorry that you bear the pain of this loss in your lives. And my heartfelt prayers,sympathy and love are with you at this time. Please try to remember that he is out of his suffering now and at home with his Creator, your Mother Betty and your brother Charles. And God grant you the strength to make it through this enduring time as He grants your Dad’s journey home swiftly to his place there.
Love,
Judy Willox
I was saddened to visit tricityherald.com Tuesday night and see that I lost my neighbor across the street. Mr. Beardsley had passed away. I immediately called my wife Traci, who is working this summer at Mount Rainier National Park, to tell her of the news.
We moved to Sacramento Boulevard in 1999, and that following spring we were astounded by the amount of energy possessed by our kindly but fiesty elderly neighbor across the street — Mr. Beardsley. He worked long and hard on his yard and garden, and the hotter it was, the more he seemed to enjoy it. And for an 86-year-old bald guy who looked like Mr. Clean, he didn’t look too bad in a Speedo — which was about all he had on during the summers. Mr. Beardsley and I would occasionally commiserate about a couple of our neighbors who didn’t take any pride in their yards.
Mr. Beardsley was quite a character. He had a great laugh and drove this black muscle car that would rumble out of the driveway around 6:30 each morning. At the time, I suspected he was bound for the Spudnut Shop. However, I learned that he was more likely headed to a Kiwanis meeting. A couple of my friends are long-time Kiwanis members in Kennewick, and they told me of Mr. Beardsley’s amazing record of perfect attendance. That also said that he made a practice of visiting other Kiwanis meetings, not just those in Richland.
Traci and I had no idea just how important Mr. Beardsley was to Richland’s history until I started reading about him that night on tricityherald.com. The story in the newspaper that next morning describing his legacy certainly warranted the 60-point headline.
He took great pride in the United States flag, and I hope that his impressive illuminated flagpole will remain for as long my wife and I live in our home. It serves as a fitting monument to a great American who served his country and his community in so many ways.
Sincerely,
Eric Degerman
Paula, Nancy, Janice, and families,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad, but he is in peace now. The Clebration of Life yesterday was awesome! I loved the picture of him in his motorized cart and doing the lawn edging. That was great! Just like him to live his life to the fullest, he really appreciated life. WOW!!What a ride he had in life!
God Bless you all,
Patti
Dear Paula, Nancy and Janice,
I am so sorry that you bear the pain of this loss in your lives. And my heartfelt prayers,sympathy and love are with you at this time. Please try to remember that he is out of his suffering now and at home with his Creator, your Mother Betty and your brother Charles. And God grant you the strength to make it through this enduring time as He grants your Dad’s journey home swiftly to his place there.
Love,
Judy Willox
Please accept our deepest saympathy for your loss. Paul was our neighbor and friend, and we loved him.
Nancy: My thoughts and prayer is with you and your family at this difficult time. I will always remember your Dad, and his great sense of humor.
Take time to heal,
Louise Moyers
Best thoughts and good wishes to all the Beardsley family from a former neighbor on Cedar Street. Paul, Mrs. Beardsley and Charley were friends and great neighbors. We had the best Richland memories anyone oculd ask for. Bless you all. Tom
Dear Paul, Jamice and Nancy, I’m so very sorry to hear about your Dad passing. I don’t take the paper and didn’t find out till today when I read the Sandstorm. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. Now he’s with Betty, Charlie, Irene,Junie Claire, Poppy and my mom.
I’ll always remember him as my Poppy’s boss during my dad’s patrol days. Paul was always fun to go and visit with and he always had a smile for everyone My love to you all.
Vera
It was a sad day when you walked into Atomic City Kiwanis and didn’t hear this booming voice yell across the room or have him grab you in a big bear hug. Paul was special and always brought a smile no matter where you went he left an impression. We count ourselves lucky that we had the pleasure of getting one of those bear hugs and knowing that he was genuine. He was a true Kiwanian and a true friend. Our heart goes out to his family during this difficult time. Thadd & Kristeen Williams
To: Nancy, Paula, Janice, Betty and all the family – we send our love to you at this time. I know what it feels like to lose your Dad, so my heart is heavy for you at this time. However, I know you have a great faith and that will get you through this time. When you are having a difficult day go to your “room of memories” sometimes and remember the good times and funny things about your Dad and it will lift your spirits. May God Bless you always, and we send our love, Millie/Glynn
From all of us brothers to all of Paul’s daughters we would like you to know we all loved growing up around your dad. Seeing him in the yard in his short shorts was quite the sight. He was a great man and someone we always respected. He did more for Richland and the people who live there than anyone else I know. 93 years wow!
It’s hard to know where to start. Paul could make the room light up by just being there. He sure loved to be a grouch for the first 5 seconds of your conversation. He would then smile because he thought he was funny. He was
The Tri-Cities will not be same without him. He was a special person. So long Atomic City’s Curmudgeon. We will miss you, but see you again.
The Beardsley’s were my parents neighbors in the 1950’s in Richland. I have so many memories of Paul, Betty and family. He was a wonderful man and when he laughed you just broke out in a smile. I think his laugh was one of his greatest gifts, he made you feel good and your heart lighter. He will be missed and remembered. With our sympathy and love to the Beardsley family, Anne Anderson, Suzanne Coleman, and Debbie Buriak, aka The Worm.
Guestbook for
Paul Parker Beardsley