Search by Name
Search by Name
William L. (Bill) Beedles escaped from these earthly bonds on September 24, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Life, Bill's last happy hour, will be on Sunday, October 21, 2018 from 4 to 7 pm at the Carnegie Building, 200 West 9th Street, Lawrence, Kansas. If you would like, the family requests thoughts, memories, and yes, even bad jokes be written on 3x5 index cards, a favorite note/list making tool frequently seen in Bill's shirt pocket. There will be a basket to hold the cards and you are invited to read/tell your memories during "open mic" beginning at 5.30 pm.
Bill was born April 9, 1948 to Irene (Connor) Beedles and Roy W. (Pat) Beedles, joining his big sister, Betty. The family moved to Baldwin City in 1950 where they ran Beedles Motor Company, a Ford dealership, for 20 years until Pat died. Bill grew up in Baldwin where his primary interests were football, basketball, track, and girls, completing high school in 1966.
He then started studies at Kansas State University, earning B.S. and M.S. degrees in Business in 1970 and 1971, including a commission in the Army via ROTC. The highlight of his years at K.S.U. was meeting and falling for the love of his life, Ann Vanderlip. After A.G. branch school in Indianapolis in early 1972 Bill moved to Austin, Texas, earning a Ph.D. in Finance in 1975, where Ann started her lifetime career in early childhood education. The highlight of his time at U.T. was marrying Ann in Wichita on December 21, 1974, the longest night of the year. In 1975 the couple moved to Bloomington, Indiana where Bill enjoyed three wonderful years as an Assistant Professor of Finance in the I.U. Business School, and they both enjoyed an NCAA basketball championship.
In 1978 Bill hoodwinked the leadership at the K.U. School of Business to offer him a position as Associate Professor where he spent the rest of his career, retiring in 2018 as a full Professor (1982). Highlights of the 40 years included Director of Master's Programs, acting Associate Dean, Chair of the Promotions and Tenure Committee, Faculty Coordinator of Executive Education, and Director of Undergraduate Programs. And again, Bill and Ann enjoyed KU Basketball and their 1988 and 2008 NCAA National Championships. The real highlights involved the birth of their children and grandchildren: Maggie (Chris) – Amadeus, Gaea, and Nice (St. Roberts, Missouri; Patricia (Kirk) – Isla (Lone Star, KS); and Cyrus (Molly) – Portland, Oregon. The family took advantage of teaching and research opportunities including the Texas Public Utilities Commission (Austin), Monash University (Melbourne, Australia), The University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia) Portland State University (Portland, Oregon), and Paderno (Italy).
Bill was proceeded by the death of his parents, sister, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and sister-in-law. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren, and many cousins most of whom who have also spent their lives in Kansas. Always an educator until the end, Bill donated his remains to the KU Medical Center. Memorials may be directed to the Bill Beedles First Generation Student Scholarship via the KU Endowment Association, or the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center Endowment, or the charity of the donor's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I had met Dr. Beedles briefly on several occasions before we taught at CIMBA. During our semester in Italy, I learned that he was a very kind and thoughtful man with a wonderful sense of humor. We shared common ground because I was a member of K-State's accounting faculty and he and his wife were both K-State grads. Over that semester he became known as Uncle Bill to my daughter and her two children and my wife's helper. My wife Linda and I loved spending time with him. I believe academics are in the business to make a difference. Dr. Bill Beedles was a wonderful person, a great teacher, and an outstanding scholar who truly made the world a better place. I will miss him very much but will always be inspired by him.
Dan Deines
Friend
October 5, 2018
Back in the fall of 1990, I was a fresh K-State graduate (and newly married!) who decided to have a change of scenery and get his MBA at the University of Kansas. I didn't know hardly anyone in Lawrence. But I met Dr. Beedles on orientation day and we immediately connected and enjoyed each other's sense of humor. He soon asked me if I would be one of his GTAs (graduate teaching assistant), which I thought was surprising as he had only known me a very short while.
During my 18 months at KU, I graded papers for Beedles, proofread his research papers (!), summarized financial reports, manually verified the mathematical accuracy of endless data (long before we used MS Excel) and even proctored a class or two when he couldn't attend (one of those times Bill "couldn't attend" was during the Monday night NCAA Championship in 1991 between Duke and KU!). He was always warm, generous and freely offered life advice that I still remember and follow to this day. I remember his wife and young kids and what a nice family he had. Bill and I connected again via email a few years ago and he was so excited to learn that I, too, had become a college instructor.
When I do the math, Bill was only in his mid-40's when I worked for him. As I prepare to turn 52 years old in a few weeks, I simply cannot believe that I am older now than he was during my time at KU. Grad school seems like yesterday, and time indeed does pass quickly. Rest in peace, Dr. Beedles! A great college professor is never really gone...your legacy will live on for generations in the students you taught and mentored.
David Krug
October 4, 2018
Bill was a wonderful man, a sincere advocate for behavioral health, and a joy to be near! My sincere condolences to family and friends.
Patricia Roach Smith
October 3, 2018
I just noticed that I am the exact same age today as Professor Beedles was at the time I had him for Finance in the Spring of 1994. I remember him well, and although I didn't fare to well in his class he did have a role in inspiring my interest in the subject and I have gone on to spend my career immersed in Finance. You will be missed Professor Beedles. Rock Chalk
Chris Costello
October 3, 2018
I was in Bill's MBA finance class when our first child, Marie Claire, was born. I was surprised when Bill dropped by the hospital to express his good wishes. It was a very kind gesture by a busy professor. Bill served on my husband Rob's dissertation committee. In the ensuing years, Bill and I crossed paths from time to time, most recently in an Osher Institute class. One funny incident I recall was on Bill's 40th birthday, when his wife filled our classroom with black balloons. He was surprised and a little flustered, but soon recovered his professorial demeanor and started the lecture. He was a good man and I was fortunate to know him.
Marilyn Hull
October 3, 2018
I was a student at the KU School of Business when I worked for Dr. Beedles. He was a personable gentleman, quick with a smile and a kind word. I enjoyed working for him and benefit to this day from the information I picked up in supporting the Executive Education Seminars he taught. I am glad I had the opportunity to meet and work with him. He was a class act.
Sincerely,
Catherine
Catherine Skelton
October 2, 2018
Sending much love and prayers to you and your family.
Carrie Hope
October 1, 2018
Terry Toler, class of 66, a friend.
Terry Toler
September 30, 2018
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more