The dynamic life and career of Reverend Bill Beeny finally ended on this earth, Wednesday, January 19, 2022. He went to meet The Lord at age 95.
Reverend Beeny was born in Madisonville, KY, in 1926 with 2 brothers and 2 sisters who preceded him in death. 1944 was a landmark year – he married Margaret Mabry and was saved and baptized in the Baptist church that his mother, Effie, attended. In 1946, he was called into the ministry, and his career began. Through 1951, he was an Evangelist, guest speaking at churches throughout Illinois and the St. Louis area, bringing many lost souls to Christ. A book could be filled with the things The Lord accomplished through him.
In Alton, IL, he founded his first church and worked with the Madison County Presiding Commissioner to start a summer camp for young people. He then moved to the St. Louis Area in 1954 and through life started and pastored six churches. In the Wright City area, he started the Missouri Youth Ranch, where hundreds of inner-city youths were brought to Christ through summer Bible camp. He founded 2 locations of St. Louis Rescue Mission to help rehabilitate alcoholics and had expanded it to Arkansas within a year. He had a radio program broadcast on 87 radio stations, bringing the Gospel across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Sunday television program was on 13 TV stations, and he wrote and published a weekly newspaper called The Word of Life. Additionally, he wrote and published numerous books and pamphlets. By the time he reached his 70s, God still had more work for him, and he founded a food pantry for the needy in Wright City. He operated this until 6 months ago, when failing health dictated otherwise.
Bill and Margaret had 8 children: Dale (deceased); Steve of Osage Beach, MO; Andrew of Weldon Spring, MO; Beth Johnson of Humble, TX; Kristy Darragh of Tampa, FL; Kit (deceased); Pete of St. Peters, MO; and Tony of Wright City, MO. After Margaret’s death in 2009, Bill married Laura Schneider. They had 2 children: Billy of St. Charles, MO, and Kayla of Houston, TX.
Bill was a giving individual who did what he could to help those less fortunate and bring them closer to God. When he wasn’t loading groceries for widows, you’d find him reading his Bible. He’ll be sorely missed for his wit, his stories, and the things he brought to his community.
There will be no funeral service, and the family requests cash donations to the Wright City Food Pantry via Church of the Nazarene in Wright City in lieu of flowers.
