Weldon Ernest Beckner

Weldon Ernest Beckner of Arlington, Texas
January 14, 1933 - January 4, 2024

Weldon Beckner, age 90, left his earthly life on January 4, 2024, in Arlington, Texas.

Born January 14, 1933, in Clayton, New Mexico, he graduated from Clayton High School in 1951. He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou Farr, on May 10, 1952, and they celebrated 65 years together on May 10, 2017. She preceded him in death on August 27, 2017.

Weldon graduated from Wayland Baptist University in 1955. He received his M.Ed. in School Administration from Texas Tech University in 1959 and his Ed.D. from University of Colorado in 1966. He was a loving father to four daughters, grandfather to 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Dr. Beckner was a High School Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and School Superintendent in Lorenzo and Brownfield, Texas, before taking a position as Professor in the College of Education at Texas Tech University in 1965. After 27 years at Texas Tech, he accepted a position as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Wayland Baptist University before returning to his love of teaching as Professor of Educational Leadership at Baylor University, retiring in 2006.

An active choir member, Sunday school teacher, and Deacon over the course of his life in Lubbock, Plainview, and Waco, TX, he was recently involved in the Senior Adult choir and activities at First Baptist Church, Arlington, TX. His love of music was lived out through occasional interim church music director positions, lifelong membership and leadership in church choirs as well as participation in Singing Men of North Central Texas. His rich and robust bass voice brought glory to God and pleasure to all blessed to hear him sing. Weldon's voice of worship to his God will be greatly missed.

In addition to his beloved wife, Betty, he was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Hess and Ursla (Brown) Beckner, two brothers, Ferol Beckner and Gary Beckner, and one sister, Helen Beckner Kilburn.

A celebration of life service will be held at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, 1201 TX-360, S, Mansfield, TX, on January 27, 2024, at 2:00 pm under the direction of Blessings Funeral Home. Visitation will be at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, Mansfield, before the service, 1:00-1:30 pm.

Survivors: Weldon is survived by daughters: Brenda (Ted) Steed of Arlington, TX, Marilyn (Chris) Stelly of Greenville, SC, Gayla (Randy) Grace of Conway, AR, and Jan (Bob) Gull of Bettendorf, Iowa; brother Everet Beckner of Santa Fe, NM in addition to multiple grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Weldon and Betty Beckner Education endowment fund at Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas. https://give.wbu.edu/ select "endowed scholarships"