William Horace Beal

William Horace Beal went to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 23, 2025. William was born July 7, 1934 in Alabama and as an adult moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, the Franklin Graham Samaritan’s Purse Ministry gave him the opportunity to relocate in Hickory, North Carolina. Two people who were serving with that ministry team in New Orleans were Jim and Tina Brookes. They encouraged William to move to North Carolina and attend Faith Community Church in Connelly Spring with them. He became a faithful member attending Sunday school and church every Sunday until he was admitted to a nursing home after a leg amputation in 2020.

Several years after his arrival in North Carolina, William was “adopted” into the family of Horace A. Brown, Jr., and his wife, Carol Ann Perrou Brown, with Horace becoming his legal guardian. After Horace passed away, Carol assumed that role and was honored to do so. At the time of his passing, William was a resident of College Pines Health and Rehab Center in Rutherford College, NC.

William will be remembered for his quick wit, infectious laughter and common sense. He loved children and Jesus and was eager to share that with others through conversation. He also loved to tell tales of his experiences and escapades as a young boy and his adult life in New Orleans. He was a “short order” cook for a period of time and said he was the only person in these parts who knew how to cook decent hash-brown potatoes and Cajun cuisine.

His only living survivor is a niece, Doris Kulp, who resides in Anniston, Alabama. He will be missed by special friends, Linda Johns and her daughter, Amanda Collins, and Amanda’s sons, Corbin and Ryan Bernhisel. William called Corbin “Doodle Bug” and Ryan “Little Bit” and regarded them as grandsons, and they called him “Pappy.”

A special thanks to all of the Staff and nurses at College Pines for the excellent care that was given to William during his stay there, and also to AMOREM Hospice in Lenoir.

A brief service of remembrance will be held at 5:30 PM at Heritage Funeral Service on Monday, October 27, 2025.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.