Wilbur (Bill) Beekman, 78, 318 Adams St., Oconto died September 23, 2000 at a Green Bay hospital. He was born February 29, 1922 at Oconto to the late John and Marie (Sauve) Beekman. Bill graduated from Oconto High School in 1939. He attended technical school to learn drafting and worked at Four Wheel Drive until the beginning of World War II. He entered the military and served with the 8th Air Force in Europe as a B-17 pilot. After the war he worked in Milwaukee as a Lithographer for a graphics firm for over 20 years until retiring. After moving to the Oconto area he worked at the canning factory at Gillett. Bill married Delia Lane on November 14, 1987.
Bill was a member of Holy Trinity Parish and the American Legion.
He is survived by his wife Delia; a daughter, Judy Grebner, Milwaukee; stepdaughters Cindy (Doug) Zimmerman, New Mexico; Tina (Tim) Tibbits, Milwaukee; April (John) Kobus, Oconto; step sons Ralph Chartrand, Milwaukee and William (Debra) Chartrand, Peshtigo; a brother, Gerald (Lu) Beekman, Oconto; two sisters, Theresa Lehman, Menominee, MI and Norine Bitetto, New York, NY; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by two sons, Norman and Skip; two brothers, John and Earl; two sisters, Majorie and Catherine; two brothers-in-law, Maurice "Buck" LeBreck and Dave Lehmann.
Friends may call at Holy Trinity Parish, Oconto from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church with Rev. David C. Ruby officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion. Burial will be at Arlington Cemetery, Milwaukee. The Gallagher Funeral Home, Oconto is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been establishe