William Minner Beyea

Accomplished Musician and Sailor

William “Bill” Minner Beyea, 79, of Weston, died in Danbury Hospital, April 25, after a brief illness. He was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., January 3, 1933.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Gale Ann; his children, including his stepson Walter “Tom” Phillips of Sandy Hook; three adored grandchildren; a nephew and a great-niece. He was predeceased by his parents Archibald and Mary Eleanor Minner Beyea; his stepmother Lucille Baily Beyea; his spiritual mother Kathie Kucera; his sister Alison; and his first wife, Margaret Morrissey Beyea.

Mr Beyea was an accomplished jazz musician. For more than ten years he played clarinet and saxophone in the Finger Lake Five, a jazz and Dixieland band that opened for Billie Holiday at her final New York City performance, played at the 1958 NY Jazz Festival, performed on the Jerry Lewis Telethon, and recorded a number of records. He continued to play locally throughout his life with numerous musicians.

He spent the last 30 years as an independent insurance agent and financial planner, contributing often to a financial column in the Westport News.

 In addition to his love of all things music, Mr Beyea was one of the early members of Cedar Point Yacht Club in the 1960s. He spent many summers with his family vacationing in Truro on Cape Cod, and loved traveling with his wife throughout Europe over the years. He was also a gourmet cook and connoisseur of fine wines and spirits. He was an active member of the Wilton Historical Society and a former member of the SAR and the Weston Kiwanis Club.

A celebration of his life will be held at Cedar Yacht Club, Bluff Point, Westport, Friday, May 18, from 3 to 7 pm.

Harding Funeral Home is responsible for arrangements. For more information or to sign an online guestbook, visit hardingfuneral.com.

The Newtown Bee        May 4, 2012