Billy Bean

Billy Vance Bean, age 89 of Gulfport, died Thursday, December 10, 2020. He was born and raised in Guntown, MS

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Edith Bean.

He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Leta Joyce Bean of Gulfport; his children, Margaret Jones (Rick), Ronald L. Bean (Joyce), both of Mooresville, MS, Robert W. Bean of Saltillo, MS, Aliceanna Ward (Lyle) of Damascus, MD, and Gretchen Dickason (Ken) of Corvallis, OR; his siblings, Brenda Sheffield of Pontotoc, MS and Nellie Duffee of Saltillo, MS; his grandchildren, Kimberly Stringfield (Billy), Christopher Bean (Marcy), Adrianne Helms (Marc), Ricky Jones, Jr., Tiffany Bean, James Ward (Kristie), Rebecca Denis, and Ken Dickason, Jr.; several great grandchildren; his nephews and nieces, Roger Spears and family, Jerry, Darrell, Sandra, and Mickey Duffee.

Billy was a professional soldier, serving in the U.S. Army for 21 years. He honed his craft as a young soldier in Korea with an artillery unit during the Korean War and was awarded a Purple Heart among other awards during his combat service there. He later joined the United States Army’s Special Forces (the famed Green Berets) where he became a member of the legendary (top secret) Studies and Observation Group (SOG), many of whose exploits are still classified today. Billy served 5+ tours in Vietnam where he distinguished himself as a soldier and a team leader (the coveted 1-0 spot), participating in numerous operations in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Billy’s awards are too numerous to mention; and staying true to his code as the quiet professional, we shall obstain from such. But history shall reflect among those who have gone down as some of America’s greatest patriotic soldiers such as Col. Bull Simons and Major Dick Meadows. SGT Billy Bean was downrange and extremely effective for his Country.

Billy was a member of the Special Forces Chapter 21 - Coco Beach, FL, the Purple Heart Association 676 - Biloxi, and Bel Aire Baptist Church in Gulfport.

The family would like to express a special thank you to John Felsher for his friendship over the years and to the staff of Memorial Hospital at Gulfport for their tender care.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport, from 12 pm until 1 pm. Services will begin at 1 pm in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bel Aire Baptist Church, Gulfport, MS.