Willie James Beacham, 81, of Plymouth, died, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville.

Born in Martin County, May 10, 1936, he was the son of the late John Fenner and Essie Bullock Beacham. He was married to the former Claudia Elaine Walker, who survives.

He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Plymouth, where he served as a deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher and director of the Baptist Men.

For over 30 years, he worked in retail sales and management with Belk Clothing Co., he also owned and operated The Country Gentlemen in Plymouth. He loved to fish, spend time with his grandchildren, a wide variety of service ministries in the church as well as having a heart for Mission Trips and working with disaster relief.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at the First Baptist Church of Plymouth. Rev. Jimmy Hagwood will officiate.

The family will gather with friends in the fellowship hall immediately following the service.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Kim B. Blevins, of Kill Devil Hills, and Shelley B. Brown and husband, Jimmy, of Plymouth; two grandchildren, Joshua Brown and Jordan Brown; a brother, Johnnie Beacham and wife Bessie, of Williamston; two sisters, Barbara Rogers, of Williamston, and Jackie “Lovie” Cauley, of Windsor.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Leslie Beacham, and two sisters, Connie Rogerson and Essie Ruth Shockley.

The family suggest that memorial contributions be directed to Samaritan Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or to the North Carolina Baptist Men Relief, P.O. Box 1107, Cary, NC 27512.

Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service at Hampton Academy, Plymouth, where online sympathy messages can be directed to www.bryanfs.com.