Leicester - William L. Beando, 79, of Leicester, died Saturday, November 5, surrounded by his
family after a courageous battle with melanoma.
He leaves his loving wife of 55 years, Joan M. (Granger) Beando, and their five children:
Jeannine Maynard (Michael), Philip Beando (Tracy), Barbara Knight, Stephen Beando, and
Bryan Beando (Amber Gully), as well as 8 grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known
as “Grumpa”: Brittany (Timothy Mullen), Harrison, and Emma Knight; Nicholas, Michael, and
Braden Beando; Isabelle and Valerie Maynard. He is predeceased by his granddaughter,
Sydney Maynard and sister, Geraldine Shambo.
Bill was born in Worcester, the son of Gerald and Margaret (Maddalena) Beando. The family
later moved to Spencer, where his mother owned and operated the Ivy Shop. He graduated
from the former Assumption Preparatory School in Worcester and earned his Bachelor’s and
Master’s degrees in Education from Worcester State College. Bill taught junior high English and
was a guidance counselor for many years in Spencer, making meaningful connections with
many colleagues and students throughout his tenure, retiring in 2001.
Bill and Joan later built their family home in Leicester on Stiles Lake after spending many
summers there. Bill was very active in the Spencer and Stiles communities as a longtime
member and past President of the Spencer Exchange Club, co-founder and commissioner of
the Stiles Lake Water District, member and past treasurer of the Spencer Teachers Association,
member and past president of the Stiles Lake Association, and was a member of St. Joseph/St.
Pius X Parish.
A devoted family man and tireless worker, Bill spent his years in retirement working for himself,
operating Pilgrim Landscaping. He enjoyed interacting with his longtime customers, with his wife
Joan as bookkeeper. The Beando home was never empty, full of family and friends who he
loved to entertain; any guest left feeling like family. Bill enjoyed cooking, whether it was a
weeknight “signature dish” or a large holiday meal. He also loved the Red Sox, jazz music,
tending to his yard, crossword puzzles, and dining out at local restaurants with his wife.
He will be forever loved and missed by his family, who all hold countless memories. Funeral
arrangements have been made with the MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 1131 Main St., Leicester. A
funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 11 at 10 am in St. Pius X Church, 1153 Main
St., Leicester. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Leicester. Calling hours will be held on
Thursday, November 10 from 4-7 pm in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in William Beando’s memory can be made to Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift, with preference to
melanoma research. The Beando family would like to thank his beloved oncologist, Dr. Megan
Insco, for her compassionate care throughout his cancer journey.