Representative Bill Beck, passed away Sunday at the age of 61 from a heart attack. Beck has served House District 51, which includes parts of downtown Nashville, East Nashville, Germantown, Inglewood, Madison, Old Hickory, and portions of Donelson, since he was elected in 2014.
House Minority Leader Karen Camper of Memphis said: “Bill Beck was one of my closest friends. He was not only my colleague, but also my confidant. His warmth, intellect, and passion for people made the House of Representatives a better place. Bill was well respected by members on both sides of the aisle. No matter the political differences or issues, Bill would always find humanity in a situation. Any encounter with Bill made your day better. I will miss his laugh and his counsel. He was truly the best of us and I cannot imagine the world without Bill Beck in it.”
“Our caucus is a family. Today we lost a brother, and we are devastated,” said Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons of Nashville. Our hearts go out to Pam, Meredith, and Bill’s entire family. Bill and I entered the legislature together, and it was a true honor to serve with and learn from him. He was a source of advice, inspiration and much-needed levity for me and many others at the most crucial moments. Everyone privileged enough to ever cross Bill’s path knows what a special person and caring individual he was. He truly had a public servant’s heart and the most memorable laugh. I will miss my dear friend and colleague. Please join us as we lift the Beck family up in prayer.”
Raised in Madison and Whites Creek, Bill served in the Tennessee Air National Guard after graduating from Belmont University. He went on to start two businesses in home building and real estate before attending the Nashville School of Law. He practiced law for many years with his law partner, his mother, Martha Lu Cone Beck.
Beck laid in state on Thursday at the capitol building, and his funeral will be Saturday, 11 am, at the TPAC Polk Theatre. Beck is survived by his wife, Pam, and daughter, Meredith.
