William Henry "Bill" Beste, age 92 of Fayal Township and Virginia died Saturday, February 28, 2015 in the care of the Essentia St. Mary's East Range Hospice Team. He was born March 10, 1922 in Virginia, the son of August and Nettie (Little) Beste and was a graduate of Virginia Roosevelt High School. Bill married Mary Jane Tregenza on December 20, 1944 in Fayal Township, and was a longtime resident. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of WWII serving in the European Theater of Operations, and a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Good Conduct Medal. Bill was employed by US Steel – Minntac as a mechanic. He was a member of the United Steelworkers Union Local 1938 and served as President for 9 years and was a longtime Union Representative; he was a lifetime member of the 447 Bomber Group, a member of the Yoki-Bergman American Legion Post # 220 in Mountain Iron, and the Sand Lake Chapel. Bill was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, trapping, an avid sports fan, and loved watching his grandchildren's games whenever he could.
Bill is survived by daughters: Cheryl (Ken) Stahl of Augusta, WI, Charlotte (Charles) Whitmarsh of Stevens Point, WI, and Janis (Kevin) Squillace of Mountain Iron; siblings: Nina Lee of Mora, MN, Cynthia Seck of Illinois, Robert (Marilyn) Beste of Brookfield, IL and Thomas (Jean) Beste of Ely Lake; grandchildren: Laura (Ron) Yohn, Amy (Chris) Neuner, Jill Whitmarsh-Smith, Todd (Terry) Whitmarsh, Alison LaRose, Aaron (Victoria) Whitmarsh, and Guy Squillace; 15 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends including special friend Dorothy Alto.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Mary Jane; and brothers: John and Jim Beste.
A visitation will be held Thursday, March 5, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service in the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home in Virginia. Pastor Richard Lohry will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded by the Yoki-Bergman American Legion Post Honor Guard. Interment will be in the Eveleth Cemetery.
Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. Share condolences and sign the register book online at: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Visitation 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. ,Thursday, March 5, 2015
Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
516 South First Street Virginia, MN 55792
Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. ,Thursday, March 5, 2015
Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
516 South First Street Virginia, MN 55792
Graveside Services 1:15 p.m. ,Thursday, March 5, 2015
Eveleth Cemetery
851 Park Avenue Eveleth, MN 55734
Military Honors Accorded by the Yoki-Bergman American Legion Post # 220 Honor Guard