Willard Lee Beckley

Willard “Willie” Lee Beckley, 79, of Mankato passed away on Thursday august 29, 2019 at KU Medical Center in Kansas City. Willie was born September 23, 1939 in Stockton to Willard B. Beckley and Emily E. (McLaughlin) Beckley.

Willie is survived by wife Sharon (Long) Beckley of Mankato and daughter Kay Lee LaFrankie and Husband Dusty of Tuttle, OK. Sisters Shirley Arbogast (Glenn) of York, NE, Cheryl Meyers (Ron) of Stamford, NE, Nancy Stuart of Wichita, KS. Brothers Larry Beckley (Janie) of Wichita, KS, Roger Beckley (Peggy) of Abilene, KS, Ronald Beckley (Liz) of Topeka, KS. Sister-in-laws Joy Hancock, Mankato, Carol Gordine of McLouth, KS, Betty Zade (Melvin) of Mankato, Marlene McCue of Mankato. Brother-in-law Donald “Tiger” Long of Mankato, Ronald Long of Jewell and Darwin Long (Crystal) of Ionia, KS. Willie was survived and loved by numerous nieces and nephews.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents.

Willie was a graduate of Plainville High School and was married to Sharon Long on June 4, 1961 in Plainville, KS. They moved to Stockton where Willie worked for Yoxall Oil Company. They moved to Denver where Willie took a job with Montgomery Wards as a warehouse worker and became a corporate buyer for nine years. He was then transferred to Chicago and worked for Wards until their Closure. He then went and worked at Spiegel Catalog until they retired in 2001 and moved back to Mankato, KS.

Willie touched many people in his short time on this earth and had a special place in his heart for family, friends, and especially children. Children were attracted to this kind hearted man and instantly would become like an adopted grandfather to many children and a role model to many young and old.

Services are pending at this time

Memorials are to the Mankato Christian Church, where Willie was a Deacon, Trustee, and a Chairman also to the DAV (Disabled American Veteran) and St. Jude’s.