Charles E. Beil

Charles E. Beil, 74, of Big Spring, went to spend eternity with his Lord on Thursday, September 10, 2009 after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, September 14, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Sharon Wiese, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.The family will receive friends from 5 PM to 7 PM Sunday at the funeral home.Charles was born on January 1, 1935 in Seminole, Oklahoma to Irwin D. and Winnie Cummings Beil, and was raised in Seminole. He joked that his birth date "is the reason everybody celebrates January 1st". He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1957 and married Joan Sawyer three weeks later. He served as an army officer in the air defense missile unit in the Philadelphia area from 1957 to 1959. He returned to Oklahoma in 1959 and became employed by the Burroughs Corporation in direct sales of accounting machines and other office equipment. He accepted a transfer with Burroughs to Big Spring in January 1962. He loved and enjoyed Big Spring and his work and other activities here.Charles became employed by the First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Big Spring in 1966. He served as Executive Vice President, President and Chairman of the Board during 23 years of service. He was elected by the industry as a director of the Dallas branch of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, where he served as vice-chairman of the Board. Charles also served as President of the Texas Savings and Loan League from 1985-1986.He and Joan owned the Coronado Hills Apartments in Big Spring for 26 years. He also operated an exporting business and then a commercial real estate firm from 1990-1997.Charles was very active in the Big Spring community. He served as President of Big Spring Jaycees and helped establish the first Rattlesnake Roundup; served as Vice-President and Director of the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce; served six years as a member and President of the Board of Trustees of the Big Spring Independent School District; served three years as a member of the Big Spring City Council; served three years as a member and President of the Moore Board for Economic Development. He also served as a Trustee and President of the United Way of Big Spring; was recognized as "Citizen of the Year" in Big Spring by the "National Association of Social Workers" with a proclamation signed by Mayor Wade Choate; served as President of the Big Spring Concert Series; helped established the fountain in Comanche Trail Lake with financial aid from community supporters; and helped in founding the Big Spring Area Community Foundation and served as President for five years and as a Trustee for an additional three years.Charles was a lifelong christian and had been an active member of First United Methodist Church in Big Spring since 1962. He served as Chairman of the Administrative Board and other leadership roles of the First United Methodist Church, including Stewardship Chairman, Missions Chairman and member of the Finance and Trust Committees. His commitment and dedication to the Lord was the strength of his life. He praised the Lord every day in personal devotional time for the blessings of his life.Charles was a member of the Big Spring Rotary Club since being proposed by Past District Governor Elmo Wasson in 1966 and had perfect attendance since 1967. He received his 42 years of perfect attendance pin three weeks before his death. Charles was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Benefactor and a member of the Bequest Society of the Rotary Foundation. He served in most director roles and on many committee assignments before being elected President for 1978-1979. He was Chairman of the District Conference held in Big Spring in 1977 and was acknowledged as having recruited more members to the club than any other member. Charles served as the Governor's Representative in establishing Greater Big Spring Rotary Club in 1978 and helped in establishing the Colorado City Rotary Club in the early 1980's. He and his family have hosted three foreign exchange students. Charles received recognition from the Big Spring Rotary Club for "Outstanding Community Service" in 1979.He was elected District Governor for 1984-1985 and as Governor he established five new clubs, increased District membership, produced the first and only newspaper for every member and held the District Conference in Big Spring that still holds the record for attendance and participation. He was awarded the Presidential Citation for accomplishments by International President Carlos Canseco.Charles served the district since being Governor as extension chairman and established three new clubs in the district; as membership chairman; foundation chairman; PETS instructor; and as a representative on the Council on Legislation. He also served as Friendship Exchange Chairman, organized exchanges with Rotarians in England, Sweden, Chile, South Africa and Canada; served as a Group Study Exchange team leader; took a team, including two members from Big Spring to Paraguay and Argentina in 1990; have been hosted by Rotary friends in numerous countries and have attended Rotary functions in many countries, including international conventions in Japan, Brazil, England, Korea, Germany, France, Mexico, Spain and Denmark. He attended the centennial convention for Rotary in Chicago in 2005 and has attended two conventions in Texas at Dallas and San Antonio. He received the honor of "most outstanding past governor in Zone 26" (the south central United States) for 2001-2002 while attending the convention in Barcelona, Spain. All the above accomplishments were commemorated at the Big Spring Rotary Club by a proclaimation, read by Mayor Russ McEwen, stating that March 3, 2009 be established as "Charles Beil Day".He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Joan of Big Spring; three daughters, Beverly Newsom and husband, Dr. Gary Don of Austin, Brenda Payne and husband, Gary of Sugarland and Charlotte Wilhoit and husband, Jon of Marietta, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Brittanny Newsom of Santa Barbara, California, Brooke Newsom and Kelsey Payne both of Austin, Katie Payne of Sugarland, and Aaron Wilhoit, Blair Wilhoit and Ava Wilhoit all of Marietta, Georgia; and numerous cousins.Charles dearly loved the Lord, his wife, his daughters, grandchildren and sons-in-law. He also had many friends whom he considered dear to his heart. He wishes family and friends a loving "so long" until he sees them in heaven. He wishes his beloved adopted community of Big Spring and his hometown of Seminole, Oklahoma and the citizenry of both communities best wishes for progress and prosperity.The family suggests memorials to the Big Spring Area Community Foundation, P. O. Box 1030, Big Spring, Texas 79721-1030, the First United Methodist Church, P. O. Drawer 1229, Big Spring, Texas 79721-1229 or to the ALS Foundation, Greater Houston Chapter, P. O Box 271561, Houston, Texas 77277.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,