Paul Fern Beezley, Washington, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at Halcyon House under hospice care.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the United Methodist Church with Pastor Alyssa Nantt officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will take place at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to Paul’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Paul was delivered by C-section on February 25, 1936, to Paul and Ruthie (Young) Beezley at the hospital in Maryville, Missouri. Paul to most was “Sonny” to his childhood friends and Missouri classmates. In 1954, he graduated from high school in Sheridan, Missouri. He married Sally Risser on November 26, 1958, in Maryville. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwest Missouri State University in 1974.

Paul learned early on what working with and for others was like. This followed the trend of others from the rural area where he was born and spent his formative years. He worked part-time while in high school at the local theater and at the service center where farmers sold their eggs and milk for grocery money. He drove for a professional trucker. After high school graduation, he accepted full-time employment with the Missouri State Highway Department maintenance crew. He served honorably in the United States Army and went back to highway maintenance on his discharge from active military service in late 1960.

Paul’s military service opened an opportunity for a career change. He applied for and was awarded the GI bill which allowed him to become a non-traditional college student when his children were in elementary school. Following graduation, he began his career in insurance working in a variety of roles from agent to adjusting multi-line claims for Missouri Farm Bureau. He ended his career as a Supervisor of crop insurance claims for Iowa Farm Bureau in southeastern Iowa.

Paul enjoyed traveling in his motorhome and the guys’ annual trips to Canada to fish for walleye. He also enjoyed bird hunting. His love for playing sports (softball and basketball) continued for much of his early adult years and contributed to his love of watching most types of sporting events. He was an active member of the Washington United Methodist Church and volunteered with Methodist NOMADS after his retirement. Paul was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Sally Beezley of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Alisha “Kim” (Mike) Biasella of Overland Park, Kansas; son, Darin Beezley of Washington, Iowa; five grandchildren: Nicholas, Harrison and Brooke (Sam Marconett) Biasella, and Graeham and Noelle Beezley; sisters-in-law, Ivalee Johnson of Sheridan, Missouri and Brenda Risser of Maryville, Missouri; and brother-in-law, Oakly Risser of Millville, Utah.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Joelle Beezley; brothers-in-law, Doyle Johnson and Max Risser; and sister-in-law, Pat Risser.