William "Bill" R. Beam, Jr., 86, of Whitfield, passed away December 12, 2017, at The Highlands at Wyomissing.

He was predeceased by wife Margaret "Meg" A. (Fosnocht) Beam, whom he married April 24, 1965.

Born in Long Branch, New Jersey, he was the son of the late William R., Sr., and Catherine "Pat" (Barrett) Beam.

Bill attended Long Branch High School and was a graduate of Monmouth College, where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

Bill was employed for over thirty years at Travelers Insurance, where he was a commercial lines underwriter and eventually manager of his department. He retired in August 1991.

He was a very active member of St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church, Whitfield. He served as a special minister, volunteered to serve on numerous committees, and was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Despite enduring a host of medical afflictions over the past twenty years, Bill’s optimism and faith never waivered. His positive attitude – despite his circumstances – was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Bill is survived by three children: William R. Beam, III, Chicago, IL, Kimberly A., wife of Richard Conwell, Pittsburgh, PA, and Kelly E., wife of John O'Shaughnessy, Schwenksville, PA. Two siblings: Burton Beam, and Barbara Bruno, and four grandchildren: Caitlin, Drew, Taylor, and Ashley also survive him.

Bill was predeceased by one brother, Richard Beam.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, December 23, 2017, at 9 a.m., at St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church, 2600 St. Albans Drive, Reading, PA 19608. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery. A visitation will be held Friday, December 22, 2017, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, 19611. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lebanon VA Medical Center at www.volunteer.va.gov/apps/VolunteerNow/.

Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.