William "Bill" Roy Beam Jr., 72, of Riverton, formerly of Pawnee, passed away Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. He was born Oct. 4, 1943, in Springfield, the son of William Roy Beam Sr. and Mary Roush Curtis Beam. He married Kathryn "Kathy" Strode on Dec. 8, 1967, at the Pawnee United Methodist Church in Pawnee. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son Michael Lee Beam in 1968; five sisters, Linda Rhodes, Jean Brawner, Jane Castle, Marcella Griffin and Geneva Davis; a brother Glen Curtis; a grandson Brady William Lowe and his beloved cat Henry "Hank." Bill graduated from Pawnee High School and was a U.S. Air Force veteran. He was a former member of the Pawnee United Methodist Church. Bill retired from the state of Illinois as a tax examiner 2. He also was an avid Cubs fan. Bill is survived by his wife, Kathy Beam, of Riverton; two daughters, Trisa Beam of Harvel and Lyndi (husband, David) Lowe of Pawnee; one son, Jason (wife, Rebecca) Beam of Riverton; six grandchildren, Madison Lowe, Hanna and Ethan Beam and Hailey, Katie and Abby Judge; one brother, Keith (wife, Marti) Curtis of Jackson, Tennessee; one sister-in-law, Barb Curtis of Mount Zion and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Bill's family will meet friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, at the Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the funeral home. The Rev. Chuck Kurfman will officiate. Burial with military honors will be at Cumberland Sugar Creek Cemetery in Glenarm. Memorials honoring Bill may be made to the Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Road, Springfield, IL 62702. Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of Bill Beam Jr.