VIA, Willie "Billy" Beezal, 89, of Richmond, joined his wife in heaven on January 9, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola Fern Davis Via; siblings, Mary Lentz (Elmer), Frances Wood , Lavert Via, Margaret Nicholson (Nick), Emmett Via and Vuluvian Via (Reba).

He was a devoted husband for 65 years, with two loving daughters, Loretta Via Bishop and her husband, Michael, and Lisa Via Baker and her husband, Steven; four grandchildren, Michael Porter, Renee, Grace-Anna and Daniel Chaney; one sister, Mabel "Mae" Via; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Billy served his country in the U.S. Army as a Paratrooper and was engaged at the Battle of the Bulge during WW II.

He retired from C & O Railroad Company after 42 years of dedicated service. Billy was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

A special thank you to the staff of the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Salem, Va. for their compassion and assistance this past year and a half.

His family will receive friends 3 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Bliley's Chippenham-6900 Hull Street Rd. A funeral ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday with visiting starting at 11 a.m. at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Free Union, Va. Interment will follow in the church yard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your local animal shelter or Wesley Chapel Cemetery Association, c/o: Mrs. Marjorie M. Paul, 849 Woodland Rd., Charlottesville, Va. 22901.

Willie (aka "Billy") registered for the draft ca. 1943 and was inducted on 3 March 1944 at Fort George G. Meade, MD.

On  11 October 1945, Pfc Via was transferred from the 505th PIR to Company D, 508th PIR

He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal on 25 March 1945.