William Wade Beckhorn

Born: 8/8/1944 Died: 9/24/2011 Mr. William Wade Beckhorn, age 67, of Odessa, DE, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2011, at his home. Born in San Francisco, CA, on August 8, 1944, Bill was the son of the late William H. Beckhorn and Frankie H. Strong Beckhorn. While in Delaware, he was a construction foreman and superintendent for several companies and owned Beckhorn Trucking. He proudly served his country in the US Army during Vietnam. Bill was a traveler from birth, growing up and working overseas particularly in India and surrounding areas, and America, where, for many years, he was a gypsy over-the-road truck driver. He always preferred the blue highways to the interstates, where the journey meant more than the destination. As a lifelong traveler, Bill was incredibly resourceful, especially with money and machinery, always able to do more with less. After his first bout with esophageal cancer, he rediscovered his love of motorcycles and spent many happy hours “in the wind.” Watching him or riding with him was to see and feel the balance and harmony he could establish between body, machine, and the laws of physics. He had a passion and respect for speed in any form, always getting the most out of any of his vehicles. He enjoyed the earthiness of the blues and rock ‘n roll, calls and visits from his children and grandchildren, and road trips where he was the consummate traveling companion. Always the adventurer, he liked to be in nature and had a natural knack with all animals, who most generally responded in kind, knowing a soft and gentle heart when they found one. He is survived by his soul-mate and beloved wife of 31 years, LaRaine Durr-Beckhorn; children, William “Billy” Beckhorn (Dawn) of Long Branch, NJ, Dustin Beckhorn of Longmont, CO, and Lakota Beckhorn of Denver, CO; brother, Lynn Beckhorn (Debbie) of Port Townsend, WA; sister, Colleen Graf (Gene) of Harbor, OR; grandchildren, Amber Sage Beckhorn and Jayden Leigh Beckhorn; and his devoted pet dog, Bones, his constant companion, whom he first rescued, and who later rescued him. Bill, our love is ohania–forever. A casual gathering for family and friends will be held from 1 pm to 2:30 pm on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Faithful Friends, 12 Germay Drive, Wilmington, DE 19804; or to Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810; or to any animal charity of the donor’s choice.