William " Punching Postman " Beck

"Punching Postman" William R. Beck, 55, of Amwell Township, died Tuesday, June 25, 2002, as a result of an automobile accident. He was born June 19, 1947, in Brooklyn, N.Y., a son of the late William R. Beck Sr. and Gladys M. Bryant Beck. Mr. Beck was a postal employee who worked at Carnegie Post Office for the past 14 years. He was a member of First Lutheran Church of Washington. Mr. Beck was a 1964 graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam. He received a National Defense Service Medal, Rifle Marksman badge, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal and Presidential unit citation. He was an avid coon hunter and a member of Canonsburg Sportsman Club and National Rifle Association. Mr. Beck was known throughout the area for competing in local Toughman competitions for many years, winning the championship several times, earning him the nickname "Punching Postman." He most recently served as a corner referee. He made his home with Rebecca Cozdra. Surviving are a son, Billy Beck III of Weston, Fla.; a daughter, Rene Beck of Canonsburg; a brother, Richard Beck of Washington; a sister, Leslie Stock of Washington; and an uncle, Lester Bryant of Berlin. At the request of the deceased, services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.