William (Bill) J. Beerman, 91, of Yakima passed away peacefully at home with his family on Sunday August 23, 2009.
Bill was born August 22, 1918 in Thermopolis Wyoming, the son of William H. and Hattie (Gertscher) Beerman. He lived in Owl Creek Wyoming until the age of 5 when the family moved to Tieton where they raised apples and some livestock. Bill attended school in Tieton and graduated from Tieton High School. After graduating, an adventure to Alaska led to a lifetime career as a gold miner.
In 1942 after losing his brother Henry in Pearl Harbor, he joined the Army Airforce where he spent the next four years flying as a flight engineer and top turret gunner on B24 bombers and continuing his education with a course in airplane mechanics. During his stint in the airforce he achieved the rank of Tech Sargent. He flew over fifty combat missions with the 15th Airforce based in southern Italy.
After returning from World War II he returned to Tieton where he spent time helping on the family orchards while his Father and Mother pursued a new career in the Second Hand business. In 1948 he married Dona R. Prokop and in 1952 opened The Blossom Shop Florist on a parcel next to his parent’s Second Hand Store on South First Street in Yakima. During the next several years he and his wife Dona worked the flower shops during the winter and traveled to Alaska in the summer to search for Gold. He also enjoyed an active membership in the Union Gap Lions Club. Dona passed away in 1976 and left the shops in the hands of Bill and his son Bill Jr. and he focused his attentions on his mining career while helping out occasionally at the shops.
In 1978 he married Bea A. LaBarge who traveled with him to Alaska during the summers as chief cook and bottle washer.
Bill is survived by his second wife Bea of Yakima; one son Bill Jr. and his wife Linda of Yakima, two stepsons Greg LaBarge and his wife Lori of Yakima, Douglas LaBarge and his wife Donna of San Jose California; five step-grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren.
Bill is also survived by his sister Mary Ann Rogers of Onamia, Minnesota, several nieces and nephews, dear friend Gloria Lane and his heart-adopted families of John and Pat Kline and children and Tom and Laura McClellan and children.
He was preceded in death by his parents William and Hattie Beerman, one brother Henry, one sister Betty and his first wife Dona.
The family would like to thank Yakima Regional Home Health, Hospice and Respite for all of their comfort, help and support during the final days of Dad’s life. Without them we would not have been able to keep him home in our care.
We will always love and miss you Dad. Services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday September 4th at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Yakima with Pastor Roger C. Phillips of the Yakima Union Gospel Mission officiating. Burial with Military Honors provided by the Marine Corps League will follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.
I first met Bill in the mid 70's and always enjoyed our conversations about life, the florist business and especially his gold mine. He was just a kind, gentle man who was trying to live his dream both here in Yakima and his get away in Alaska. I know he will be missed greatly by his son Bill and his wife Linda. He was a special part of their family. In recent years I have only gotten hear about Bill Sr and his health struggles. He isn't suffering now but all who knew him, will miss him..
