Mr. William T. Beasley

Age 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 1, 2017. William T. Beasley was a former bus driver for the Cleveland Transit System, now RTA. He retired in 1982. Beloved husband of Sylvestine Beasley (deceased); cherished father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather of a host, and loved by many other relatives and friends. Family hour Tuesday, June 6th, 1:30 PM, Funeral service 2 PM in the Wade Chapel at Lake View Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave. William T. Beasley affectionately known to all as 'Bill' departed this life on June 1, 2017. Bill was born on March 5, 1923 to parents Thomas Beasley and Ocie Harris Beasley in Union Town, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Union Town High School in June of 1941. During his Junior and Senior Years, he worked in a shoe repair shop. He learned how to repair shoes, leather goods and operate the shoe repair machinery. He was drafted and served his country during WWII but disliked every moment until his service was complete. He moved to Cleveland in the early 40's and completed 1 year at the Wilcox College of Commerce and worked in Shoe Shops and odd jobs until September of 1950 when he was hired by the Cleveland Transit Company as a Bus Driver. He met and married Sylvestine Wright whom he was married to for 25 years. They purchased a home and opened a Basement Speak Easy for their Musical Delight and of course, Extra Money. They wined and dined with Jazz Legends Freddie Hubbard, Charles Mingus, Nat & Cannonball Adderley, Bobbie Humphrey, George Benson and Eugene “Jug” Ammons, just to name a few. Bill Loved to play piano and saxophone and would play with them from time to time. Bill and Sylvestine Loved Jazz so much that they opened and operated Mello Tone Records, a record and variety store on Cleveland's East Side in the mid sixties. Bill went on to retire after 32 years of Service from the Cleveland RTA. During retirement he loved to travel and took many trips abroad and especially loved Europe and the Caribbean. Bill enjoyed spending time with special friend Roxana Smith and when she became ill he spent most days visiting her especially loved playing the piano and watching her gaze into his eyes really made his day. Bill enjoyed living and loved to stay up late watching old Musicals, late night phone conversations with family then he would sleep until sometimes noon. He played the piano daily, kept up with All of Cleveland Sports and enjoyed a daily treat Hershey Bar with Almonds. Bill was strong at heart and continued to drive, do his own shopping and errands until his brief set back in late April. He was preceded in death by Wife Sylvestine Beasley and Sister, Lucille Sparrow. He leaves to mourn two daughters, Theresa and Lee King Brown of Pensacola, FL and Sylvia Speed of Las Vegas, NV, Six grandchildren, Commander LeKeen Brown, Ret USN, and wife Evelyn of Pensacola FL, Cynthia Joy Brown Williams and husband, Atty. Robert L. Williams of Stone Mountain, GA, Yancey Speed, Shannon Speed of Las Vegas, NV, Erik Johnson and Stephanie Booker of Charlotte, NC, Four Great Grandchildren, JazzLee and ShiLyn Brown of Pensacola, FL, Courtney White of Charlotte, NC and AjaJade Johnson of Las Vegas, NV, Cousins Dorothy (Dot) Lurns, Husband Jimmy (Children: Jennifer, Dave, Marcus and Darryl of Cleveland, OH, George Higgins of Cleveland, OH, Willie Higgins of Warrensville Heights, OH), Special Friends Dr. Phyllis and Mr. Herbert Simmons (Sons Elliot and Remington) of Garnet Valley, PA, Joshlyn and James P. Hammons (Son, James) of Bedford Heights, OH, Sam Hinton, Special Neighbor Friend, special cousin, Sherry Andres and a host of neighbors and relatives. Special thanks to Dr. Mukul Pandit and Staff and the Staff at Franklin Plaza.

Mr. William T. Beasley

March 5, 1923 - June 1, 2017