William H. Beaman Jr.

WILLIAM HENRY BEAMAN JR. was born on July 30, 1927 in Salisbury, Maryland. He was the only child born to Ethel D. Beaman and Dr. William Henry Beaman, Sr. He was affectionately called “Junior” by his family and Beaman by his many friends. Beaman was educated in the Baltimore Public School System and attended Booker T. Washington Junior High School. He graduated from Frederick Douglas Senior High School and as a young man he showed great leadership skills and was voted treasurer of his class. He was well-liked and had many friends. His college experiences included Howard University, Columbia University and Morgan State College. At the age of 20 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While there he discovered his life-long love for photography when he was selected to participate in a special military program for photography in Denver, Colorado. Beaman received two medals for his military services: the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. In 1951, he married his childhood friend Margaret Curtis and from this union there was a daughter, Robin. In later years he met and married his friend Delores Johnson. They had two sons, William and Randall. Beaman took great pride in being an entrepreneur and was one of the first Blacks to own a gas station in Baltimore. He was also the former co-owner of G & G Restaurant and Lounge, as well as a popular barbeque rib “joint” that was rated the #1 rib place by Baltimore Magazine. Beaman was also the Neighborhood Center Director of one of Baltimore's social services organizations. Additionally he served as a U.S. Postal worker and a sales representative for Arbutus Memorial Park, King Memorial Park and Midland Insurance Company. In his later years, he started a water filtering company. Beaman truly embodied and personified an entrepreneurial spirit. Committed to making a difference in the lives of others, Beaman was raised in 1979 and became a Mason. He was a member of the William F. Taylor Lodge #57. He took great pride in being a Mason and held many leadership roles. He was a member of the Hiram Consistory #2; a member of Jerusalem Temple #4 A.E.A.O.N.M.S.; former president of the 45-Degree Council; and Past Master of William F. Taylor Lodge #57. Many of Beaman's Mason brothers shared that he volunteered often and worked hard to raise funds for orphans, widows and educational scholarships. He inspired and enriched the lives of his brothers over the years. He leaves to cherish his memory: a devoted daughter and sons, Robin E. B. Beaman, William H. Beaman III (wife, Noree Beaman) and Randall Joseph Beaman; two godchildren, Austin Baker and Rorye Jordon; and a host of family and friends.

Tributes

William H. Beaman Jr.

July 30, 1927 - May 5, 2013