William O. “Bill” Beyer, 87, Sartell

June 2, 1927 - March 2, 2015

Memorial services celebrating the life of William O. “Bill” Beyer, 87, of Sartell will be 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Celebration Lutheran Church in Sartell. Bill passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, March 2, 2015 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Pastor Elizabeth Strenge will officiate.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Arrangements are with Daniel Funeral Home, Sartell.

Bill, the youngest of ten, was born on June 2, 1927 in Parshall, North Dakota to William and Emma (Schliemann) Beyer Sr. and was raised in Holloway, Minnesota. He married Verna Bakeberg on August 10, 1945 in Odessa. Shortly after he was drafted into the US Army and served during WWII. He was a Drill Sergeant at the age of 18. He was honorably discharged in 1947 and settled in Ortonville. Bill was a jack of all trades and was employed as an electrician, farmer and veterinarian assistant prior to moving to the Minneapolis area. He was employed by Bruce Motor Freight until he was injured. At the age of 45, Bill attended Anoka Ramsey to obtain his GED and an agricultural degree. After college, Bill lived in several rural communities where he was employed in grain elevator management. He retired in the Hutchinson area and in 1999 Bill and Verna moved to Sartell.

Bill loved dancing (especially waltzes and polkas), playing Yahtzee and cards, family gatherings and above all treasured time with his family. He lived for attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events. He and his wife were known in Sartell as the “white headed superfans” in the bleachers. Bill was an avid sports fan and cheered on his Minnesota teams no matter what. He will also be remembered for his kind-heartedness, quick wit, love of “good” food, and card-playing skills.

He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Verna of Sartell; children, Jan Hunt (Myrel Neumann) of Waite Park, Tim of Brooklyn Park, Mike (Pam Hoff) of St. Paul, Dawn (Jerry) Grant of Sartell; eleven grandchildren, Mark (Mariah) Boyle, Brian (Allie) Beyer, Shawn Beyer (Casey Fitzgerald), Brittanni Beyer, Jeremy Grant (Chasidi Funk), Alaina Beyer, Nicole Grant, Sarah Beyer (Ryan Anderson), Andrew Grant, Matt Beyer, Ben Grant; five great grandchildren, Liem Fitzgerald, Connor Boyle, Rorie Fitzgerald, Lida Boyle, Brian Henry Beyer III; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Bradley in 2000, Brian in 1989; daughter-in-law, Barb Beyer in 2013; and nine siblings, Alfred, Herbert, Irvin, Edgar, Wallace, Gladwin, Willard, Lily and an infant sister.

Memorials are preferred.