Bill R. Beasley

Billy Rex “B.R.” Beasley, retired Associate District Judge, passed from life on earth to join his Heavenly Father on Saturday, January 3, 2015, while surrounded by family. He was 80 years old at the time of his passing. He was born on August 29, 1934 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the oldest child of O.R. and Willie Beasley. Bill lived in Tulsa his entire life until he retired in 2000 when he moved to Claremore, Oklahoma. Bill attended Central High School in Tulsa and was both a scholar and an athlete. He was an outstanding wrestler in High School and was offered a scholarship to wrestle at OU. However, he decided to end his athletic career and focus on his education. During his junior year in High School, Bill met the love of his life, Donna Knight, at a Young Life meeting, a High School Christian organization. Bill and Donna were married at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa on September 3, 1954. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past September. Bill was a long time member of Will Rogers United Methodist Church. Attending church regularly and living his Christian faith were very important to him. Except when health prevented it, he rarely missed attending church. Even when away on vacation, he always found a church to attend. In 1957 Bill received his BS in Business Administration from The University of Tulsa. After receiving his degree, he worked as a buyer for North American Rockwell. In 1963, Bill decided to attend law school. For the next four years, he attended law school at night while maintaining a full time job and raising three children. He received his Juris Doctorate in 1967 from The University of Tulsa and began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney for S.M. “Buddy” Fallis. In 1971, Bill became an Assistant District Attorney in McAlester Oklahoma. In 1973, he was appointed as Associate District Judge for Tulsa County and remained in that position until his retirement in 2000. As a judge, Bill initially presided over a Civil Docket. In the early 80’s, he moved to the Juvenile Division where he served as the Chief Juvenile Judge. While in the Juvenile Division, he was instrumental in establishing CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in Tulsa County. His efforts were recognized by a personal visit by the then First Lady, Nancy Reagan. He was a strong children’s advocate often commenting that “a child cannot have too many grandparents”. In the late 80’s Bill transferred from the Juvenile Division to the Criminal Division in Tulsa County, where he presided over many high profile cases. As a criminal judge, he was widely respected and regarded by both attorneys and his fellow jurists. He was known as an extremely fair but firm judge, who ran one of the most efficient dockets in the courthouse, and whose decisions rarely were overturned on appeal. Bill had many hobbies over the years but the most enduring was playing bridge. He was a Gold Life Master and widely regarded as a fierce competitor. In retirement, he enjoyed travelling to many bridge tournaments while continuing to win frequently. Bill also collected many things including tools (which he never used), Big Little Books, Russian Nesting Dolls and Disney Figurines. He was a life-long fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, the Arkansas Razorbacks football team and Bob Wills music. Bill was blessed with a loving family. His Father, Rex Beasley and sister, Becky Hamilton, preceded him in death. He is survived by wife Donna, Mother Willie Beasley, children Brad Beasley, Brenda Rackleff and husband Jim, and Barry Beasley, brother Robert Beasley, brother-in-law Richard Hamilton, Grandchildren Jeff, Jason, Brittany, Chase, Brooklin, and Brianna, and Great-Grandchildren Cavan, Caleb, Jaxon and Remington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Will Rogers United Methodist Church or the charity of the donor’s choice. The family also wishes to extend its gratitude to the wonderful caring nurses in the ICU unit at St. Francis Hospital, particularly Britton, Jessica and George. Service: 10AM Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 Will Rogers United Methodist Church Interment: Memorial Park Cemetery Moore Funeral Home - Eastlawn Chapel 918-622-1155

Bill R. Beasley

August 29, 1934 - January 3, 2015