Willard A. Beachy

Willard Arthur Beachy, also lovingly known as “Diamond Will” was born March 9, 1934 in Greenwood, DE. He reunited with his bride, Edna Mae (Miller) Beachy in the great beyond on Friday, July 13th.  Will and Eddy were married July 28, 1956 and journeyed their almost sixty year adventure together with five children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a happy village of family and friends. Eddy left this mortal coil first on April 6, 2016 and has been waiting patiently with hands on hips and one foot tapping for her beloved since then.

Diamond Will was circled in light and love at Joel Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg, OH by his children: Steve Beachy, Bob Beachy and Michelle Barger, Linda (Beachy) and Dave Zickefoose, Brenda (Beachy) Arnold and Chompie, and Ken Beachy and Allison (Ryan) Beachy. Grandchildren, great grandchildren, and long-time and loving neighbor, Peg Bevington were able to pay their respects while Johnny Cash serenaded the family with “In The Sweet By and By” as Will left to meet his Eddy on that beautiful shore.

Will and Eddy were both school teachers for many years in Wooster, Ohio. They provided their family with many memorable summers in Apple Creek, Ohio exploring woods, learning about plants, building tree houses, and traveling to Greenwood, DE to visit family. Many of their activities revolved around teaching their children that it is important to learn every day and to share knowledge as much as possible. They extended these life lessons to their grandchildren too. Never be afraid to learn, to ask questions, to demand answers.

Diamond Will was also a great proponent of outdoor activities and delighted the family with homemade stilts, pellet guns, adventures in the back of a rickety old trailer pulled by a lawnmower, making the kids take turns cranking the ice cream maker, and always having plenty of glass jars to capture fireflies.

The family wants to thank John Shonk for his delightful friendship with Dad and their many adventures to get coffee and go exercise, Carol Gepper for her tireless attention when Dad needed transportation to a doctor’s appointment or he just needed company, and the Holmes County Home in Holmesville, Ohio for providing Dad with a place he could call home when he needed more care and attention. His charm and wit were visible daily at the County Home. The family also thanks Deb Miller and staff, Pam Deal, and Reece Uhl for their relationships with Diamond Will  and allowing him to shine. He quickly made friends with fellow residents Evelyn and Pete; and it was wonderful for visiting family to give hugs to his tablemates, Clare and Abe.

 In lieu of calling hours and a funeral service, the family asks that you honor Diamond Will by taking time to sparkle in your own way: stop at Wendy’s and buy his favorite treat, a vanilla frosty, for one of your kids or grandkids; fill the car up with gas and take an elderly friend out for a jaunt in the country. (Hopefully, you’ll get lost for a spell and then find your way back home.); or find a friend to work on a puzzle over coffee. Never stop being ornery. Be charming when you can. Remember to say thank you. Takes naps when you need to.

We think the heavens might twinkle a bit brighter now. We love you, Diamond Will and we know Mom is happy you’ve arrived on that beautiful shore.

“There's a land that is fairer than day and by faith we can see it apart
For the father waits over the way to prepare us a dwelling place there
In the sweet by and by we shall meet on that beautiful shore
In the sweet by and by we shall meet on that beautiful shore”

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