Dr. Walter Ewing Beasley, III, Captain, USN Ret.

   Dr. Walter Ewing Beasley, III, Captain, USN Ret. passed away on January 7, 2024 in St. Petersburg, FL. He is survived by his daughter Marie Amelia Johnston, son-in-law, Milton Lynn Johnston, Jr. of Chesapeake, VA, daughter Candis Rose Beasley Edwards, Esquire and son-in-law, Charles Michael Edwards of St. Petersburg, FL. His grandchildren are Capt. Elizabeth Victoria Rose Johnston Lee, US Army and her husband Capt. David Charles Lee, Jr., US Army of Elgin, OK, Rebecca Marie Amelia Johnston-Andrews and her husband, John Harvest Andrews of Suffolk, VA, Milton Lynn Johnston, III of Chesapeake, VA, Alexandra Dale Edwards of St. Petersburg, FL, and Catherine Tate Edwards of St. Petersburg, FL. He is preceded in death by his loving and faithful wife, JoAnna Dale Beasley, of Virginia Beach, VA, beloved mother, Annie Laura Garant Beasley and supportive father Walter Ewing Beasley, Jr. of Johnson City, TN, and caring sister, Barbara Ann Beasley Petro of London, England.
He is a descendant of over 15 patriots who fought in militias from MA, VA, N.C., and S.C. or donated goods during the American Revolutionary War. He is also a descendant of many early settlers to the great territory of Tennessee including, but not limited to: the Garants of Murfreesboror, Jenkins and Thorn families of Chattanooga, Scott and Jones families of Franklin, Acree, Steagall, Weeks, and LaFoon families of Rutherford, and Phillips and Burns families of Lincoln County,
   Walter was born in Nashville, TN and grew up in Nashville, Lebanon, and Johnson City. From the early age of 7, he knew he wanted to be not just a doctor, but a surgeon. His parents were extremely supportive in helping him reach his goals. In 1950, he graduated from Science Hill High School. In 1955, he went to East Tennessee State University where he was a member of the student senate, American Chemical Society, an ROTC lieutenant and member of the Rifle Team, Phi Chi fraternity, and Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity. After he graduated from ETSU, he went onto the University of Tennessee, Medical Units in Memphis, TN. He fostered a love for UT football and served as their manager. From 1958-1959 he had a rotating general Internship at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, PA. He also served on sea duty from 1959-1961 aboard transport ships. He completed his general surgery residency at the UT in Memphis. From 1961-1964 he was a flight surgeon in Memphis, TN. In 1964, he married his beautiful wife, JoAnna Dale in Florence, AL. He completed his general surgery residency at the US Naval Hospital in Chelsea, MA and his thoracic surgery residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. He received the Venezuelan Order of Naval Merit 2nd Class for operating on the President of Venezuela, Rafael Antonio Caldera Rodríguez. He served on the USS Enterprise in 1966 and USS Guam in 1981. He was board certified in both general and thoracic surgery practicing in TN, CA, S.C., N.J., VA, and OH. Upon retirement he volunteered as an international surgeon with the Methodist Church helping people in Sierra Leone. He received the following decorations: National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, NRMC, Philadelphia, Naval Unit Commendation, USS Enterprise, (CVA-N-65), Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Venezuelan Order of Naval Merit 2nd Class, and Naval Commendation Medal.
   Walter loved his family and practicing medicine. He was passionate about learning and loved to travel and experience different cultures, foods, and styles of art. His favorite drinks were a Bombay Sapphire G&T, Makers Mark, or a stout margarita. He was a loyal member of Community Methodist Church in Virginia Beach, VA where he attended Sunday School and services. He enjoyed sailing and fishing. He was a lifetime member of the NRA. He loved the sport of hunting deer, elk, caribou, and black bear among good friends. He was an active member of the Buick Club and entered his award winning 1966 Buick Wildcat into many shows. His favorite music was old country, like the original Hank Williams and the Carter Family, and bluegrass, like Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. He regularly attended the Virginia Opera and the Virginia Shakespeare Festival. He was an avid, diehard, bleeding orange fan of UT Football. He had the utmost respect for the Colquitts, Berrys, Dickeys, and Kellys, whose generational football talent has graced Neyland Stadium for decades. He was a fervent New York Yankees fan and often attended spring training in Tampa. He was very much loved by his wife, family, and community and will be truly missed. Go Vols! Beat Florida!

   Funeral services will be held 11:00am Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Lawrence Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment with military honors will be held after the service at Triune Cemetery. Services in care of Lawrence Funeral Home, 203 S. Horton Pkwy., Chapel Hill, TN 37037 931-364-2233 www.lawrencefuneral.net