William Morris Beck

William Morris “Moose” Beck, Jr., 72, of Fort Payne passed away April 12, 2009. He was born October 12, 1936 to the late William M. Beck, Sr. and Vera Inez Isbell. Mr. Beck was raised in the First Baptist Church of Fort Payne and was a life-long member there. He graduated DeKalb County High School in 1955 where he was named to the All-State football team and played basketball in the 1954 state championship game. He attended Auburn University for one year before transferring to the University of Alabama in 1956 to accomplish a pre-law/business degree with an undergraduate in economics. While in college he was an R.O.T.C. cadet, and member of the business school fraternity, legal fraternity, and greek fraternity. Mr. Beck graduated law school at the University of Alabama in 1961 and began his legal practice which he maintained until his time of death. During his practice, he and his father the late W.M. Beck, Sr., handled the first federal civil rights landmark case, known as the “Freedom Walker Case”. Mr. Beck served in the Alabama Legislature from 1966 until 1970, and also served as City Judge for various Dekalb County municipalities. He later collaberated with a local banker, Mr. Harry Brock, to develop the corporate structure for what became Central Bank of the South, now known as BBVA Compass, and in 1978 began his own banking career. He was a board member of Tri-State Bancshares that owns and operates the Bank of Dade in Trenton, GA. He was a former board member of Dekalb Bank from 1980 until 2005, during which he became active in the Federal Legislative Banking Committee. He was also a member of the Fort Payne Masonic Lodge. Mr. Beck considered his greatest accomplishment as being a grand dad to his two grandchildren. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 14 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Pat McFadden and Rev. Keith Dodd officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church, 106 Grand Avenue NW, Fort Payne, AL 35967. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Ramona Dodd Beck; son and daughter-in-law Gene and Alison Beck; grandchildren Bethany Eugenia Beck and John Dodd Beck; brother and sister-in-law Robert Daniel and Nel Beck; and sister Frances Beck Jagoe. He was preceded in death by his son William Morris Beck III. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, online guestbook, www.wilsonfhinc.com

William Morris Beck

October 12, 1936 - April 12, 2009