World War II veteran Bill Belshaw of Wyoming died Saturday, March 13, at the age of 82. Belshaw was born in Taylorville, IL June 26, 1921.
Belshaw got a job with AT&T, but then America joined the war efforts in WWII and he was called to duty. AT&T promised Belshaw his job when he returned from the war though.
Belshaw was an Aviation Chief Radio Technician in the U.S. Navy from 1942-1945 where he was part of a B-22 Liberator crew stationed in Newfoundland that flew reconnaissance looking for enemy submarines.
During his time in the service, Belshaw also got married to his high school sweetheart, Irma in 1944. Belshaw returned home on leave to marry, then had to return to duty and leave his new bride. The couple was apart for a year before they were reunited.
After returning from the war, Belshaw went to work with AT&T where he worked for 41 years. It was his job with AT&T that brought Belshaw to Wyoming in 1962 where he stayed until his death.
ìThat was the only job he ever had,î Belshawís son Chris said.
In his spare time Belshawís son says he kept himself more than buisy. Belshaw was a lifetime member of the Forest Lake American Legion, Lions Club, Meals on Wheels, he played all kinds of instruments, repaired all sorts of things, and sang in the local barbershop quartet.
Belshaw was a self taught musician who played the piano, organ, trumpet, accordian, ukulele, flute, and others. Belshaw even went on to teach his daughters how to play the flute.
ìHe used to love to go to the Legion and play the piano and sing,î Chris said. ìHe used to play every Friday night at Derlach Haus that used to be at the corner of 61 and Broadway. I donít know if he ever got paid for it but we got one free meal a month as a family.î
When he wasnít busy with music, Belshaw was buisy fixing things. Belshaw fixed cameras, watches, TVs, organs, and just about anything else someone would ask him to fix.
ìHe was a craftsman technician,î Chris said. After he retired he would fix peoples stuff in the garage and just charge them for parts until things got too big for him to move around.î
Belshaw also tinkered around as a ham radio operator where he talked to people in Newfoundland with the call letters WJKM.
ìHe wasnít too one dimensional thatís for sure,î Chris said.
Funeral details
A funeral will be today, Thursday, March 18, at 10:30 a.m. at World of Pentecost Church, 16060 Crosstown, Blvd, N.W. in Andover,Ý with visitation one hour prior to services at church.Ý Memorials may be directed to World of Pentecost Church or American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1833, Merrifield, VA 22116.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother James. He is survived by his spouse of 60 years, Irma; children Jan (Bernie) Knauff, Ron (Norma) Belshaw, Bev (Rich) Gabrick, Gary Belshaw, & Chris (Cheryl) Belshaw; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother Jack; several nieces, and nephews.
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