William Beavers

William Marion Beavers, Ponca City resident, died on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at the Ponca City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 86. Marion was born the son of William Steven Beavers and Ruth Ellen Manahan Beavers on November 4, 1922 in Kay County. He enlisted in the United States Army on January 19, 1943 and served in Europe with the 782nd Tank Battalion, Pattons third army during World War II. Marion also served with Patton at the Battle of The Bulge. He survived the train wreck at St. Valery in France on January 17, 1945. Although 89 soldiers died and 152 were injured, the U.S. government did not recognize this incident. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and honorably discharged on February 7, 1946, at Camp Chafee, Arkansas. Shortly after returning from Europe, Marion married Una Marie Jones on July 23, 1945, in Newkirk, Oklahoma. The couple made their first home in Blackwell, Oklahoma and moved to Ponca City in 1950. To this union, three children were born. Marion was employed with Continental Oil Company for 17 years and then went to work for American General Life Insurance Company, retiring in 1985. Marion was a longtime member of Sunset Baptist Church, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1201, American Legion, Masonic Lodge and the Shriners. Marion had several enjoyments which included collecting coins, fishing and camping in Broken Bow at Beavers Bend. Marion took pride in maintaining the memory board that he designed and built. He created this board to honor members of the 782nd Battalion who passed away. Marion also loved country western music and loved to dance. He is survived by his loving wife, Marie of 63 years; son, Ronald Kent Beavers Sr. and his wife, Nora of Port Arthur, Texas; grandchildren, Ronald Kent Beavers Jr., and wife, Rene of Khema, Texas, William Troy Beavers and wife, Coretta of Groves, Texas and Stephen Marcus Beavers and wife, Kathryn of Houston, Texas; great grandchildren, Tiffany Beavers, Christina Beavers, Candace Beavers of Bridge City, Texas, Tori Caylen and Jacob Ryan Beavers, Christian Bryce Beavers, Autumn Hazel Beavers, Alyssa Denise Beavers and Ashley Beavers of Groves, Texas; one great great grandchild, Jazymn Beavers; sister, Genevere Lois Clements and husband, Louis of Edmond, Oklahoma; nieces and nephews as well as many dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Donald Marion Beavers and daughter, Brenda Leigh Beavers; one brother and two sisters. Casket bearers for the service will be the Amen Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Marions honor to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union, Ste. 103, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601. A funeral service will be held at 3:00p.m., Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Grace Memorial Chapel with Chaplain Mike Sweetman officiating. Burial will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.