William Maiben Beck, 83, of Orem, died Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at his home.
He was born February 19, 1920, in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, a son of Herman and Lizetta Hafen Beck. He married Patricia Stringham March 28, 1943, in Mt. Pleasant. The marriage was solemnized May 11, 1963, in the Manti LDS Temple.
He graduated from North Sanpete High School and earned a scholarship to Utah State University but chose to serve his country during World War II. He served in Patton's 3rd Army. He was decorated with European-African-Middle Eastern service ribbons, good conduct medal, two purple hearts and two bronze stars.
He ran the Mt. Pleasant Co-op for eight years, and worked at Geneva Steel for 30 years. He coached little league baseball, loved sports, hunting, dancing, telling jokes and stories.
He was a High Priest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings.
Grandpa loved life and loved everyone. His love radiated everyone around him. He greeted all with a kiss and hug. He loved having a new joke to tell everyone he met.
Grandpa was known as "The Root Beer Man", because he loved making homemade root beer at every gathering. He could always be found at home in his favorite chair cheering on his sports teams. He dearly loved his family and was the light of their life. We will miss you. Thanks for the memories.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia, of Orem; his children: Dianne (Steve) Davis, Pleasant Grove; William (Kristy) Beck, Payson; Mary Kay (Cory) Brereton, Payson; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Eva Lay, Mt. Pleasant; and Ruth Spencer, Salem. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers, and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 15th, at 11 a.m. in the Orem Second Ward Chapel, 80 South 280 East, Orem. Friends may call Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 East 800 North, Orem, and at the church Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the services. Burial will be in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery with full military rites.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the many caring friends and those at Harmony Home Health Care.
Anyone wishing to send condolences to the family please visit the web site: a href="http://www.walkerfamilymortuaries.com"www.walkerfamilymortuaries.com/a

Salt Lake Tribune, The (UT)
Date: March 13, 2003