William R. ’Bill’ Beckett

William Robert BeckettWilliam Robert Beckett was born on February 24, 1933 in Hawley, MN, to Louis and Elsa Gruhl Beckett. The family moved to Glyndon, MN where he continued to live when he met Clare Frances Singer. They married on December 4, 1952, in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Moorhead, MN. They lived in Moorhead and Rochester, MN, working for Team Electronics. The family moved back to Glyndon, MN in May of 1970 to work with his brother Richard at B&B Electric until 1985. He worked for Red River Electric until retiring in 1994. Bill and Clare moved to Moorhead, MN in 1987. In 1984 Bill and Clare started an engraving business, Clare's Engraving, and sold the business in 1999. Now truly retired, Bill enjoyed woodworking and also driving semi-truck part-time at J-March Enterprises, Inc. in West Fargo, ND.Bill passed away peacefully from pancreatic cancer on January 5, 2009 in Innovis Hospital, Fargo, ND under the wonderful care of nurses and hospice.Bill is survived by his wife, Clare, Moorhead, MN; three daughters, Barbara Hanus Larry, Bemidji, MN, Joyce Flaig Ron, Fargo, ND, Kathy Liljequist Roger St. Cloud, MN; three brothers and one sister, Richard Beckett, Fargo, ND, Marjorie West Ross, Wahpeton, ND, Everett Beckett Shirley, Glyndon, MN, Leonard Beckett Nancy, Melbourne, FL; seven grandchildren, Christine Laurich, St. Paul, MN, Leah Domine Brian, Woodbury, MN, Matthew Liljequist Kari, Plymouth, MN, Abby Liljequist Mark, St. Cloud, MN, Patrick Laurich, Lakewood, CO, Alexa Hanus, Baltimore, MD, Bart Hanus, Nevis, MN; and many, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorials may be given to St. Cecilia's Special Fund or Hospice of the Red River Valley.