William Beilman

William “Bill” Robert Beilman passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2008, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 16, 2008, at Crystal Springs Church of God, 1465 Pipestone Street, Benton Harbor, with Pastor Fred Davey officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma with Military Rites. Visitation with the family will be held Friday evening, February 15, 2008, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, in St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to the Crystal Springs Church of God in Benton Harbor. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Bill Beilman was born May 31, 1931, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to William and Muriel (Osborn) Beilman. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1950. Bill enlisted in the U.S.A.F. and was a Korean War veteran serving in Korea from November 1950 to March 1952. He served a total of four years as a military policemen and three more years in the U.S. Army National Guard in an Armored Division as a Tank Commander. Bill worked five years for the Benton Harbor Police Department, three years as a patrolman and two years as a motorcycle officer in the traffic division. Additionally he worked thirty years for the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, four years as a road patrolman and the remaining years in charge of the Marine Division and Search and recovery scuba dive team. He received a Life Guard certificate while in the military and while employed with the Sheriff’s office earned scuba diving certificates from the Y.M.C.A. – NAUI and PADI and became a licensed hard hat driver. Bill loved to read. Additionally as a carpenter, he enjoyed working with wood. Bill was known as one who was always available to help anyone in need. Bill is survived by his wife and best friend Mae, Five children, Patricia Hacker, Terry (Denise) Beilman, Pamela Skoda, Tracy (Karla) Beilman and Barbara Beilman; three brothers, Vance (Debra) Beilman, James (Ruby) Beilman, and Michael (Lois Jean) Beilman; by one sister Arleata Bartlet; by thirteen grandchildren; and by eleven great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and grand parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Don Griffindorf.