W.T. Shumake & Daughters

Larry Bernard Beecham “Wattstax”, 66, of Louisville died Friday, May 26, 2023 at his home.

Memorial Service 1:00 PM Monday, June 5, 2023 at W.T. Shumake & Daughters Funeral Home 3815 Newburg Road


Larry Bernard Beecham was born on Monday, May 28, 1956, in Louisville, Kentucky, to proud parents, Harvine Beecham and Phillip Todd. He was the oldest of their six children and was also blessed to have Aubria Watson as a loving stepfather who also helped to raise him. He received his education in the Jefferson County Public Schools System where he attended Newburg Elementary and Middle Schools and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. While at TJ, he was known as a pretty good basketball player.

After graduation, he attended Eastern Kentucky University until it became a financial hardship which resulted in him deciding to join the United States Army to serve his country as a tactical wire operations specialist where he earned and received a sharpshooter badge with a M-15 rifle bar on it. On October 3, 1979, Larry completed his military assignment and returned home with an honorable discharge.

Wattstax, as he was fondly called by family and friends, worked for Rexnold for a brief period and was employed by Ford LAP (Fern Valley location) for 28 years before retirement. He also played basketball on the Ford team.

He enjoyed watching all sports and especially the University of Louisville Cardinals. On the professional level, the San Francisco 49ers football and the LA Lakers basketball teams were his favorite teams. Throughout his life, Larry was quiet, had a sense of humor, and never met a stranger. Family was important to him, and he loved being around them. Newburg was his stomping ground, and everyone seemed to know him. He was an avid chess player and rarely lost a match. He was the grill master when it came to grilling ribs, and his specialties were cabbage, potatoes, and link sausages.

On Friday, May 26, 2023, Larry Bernard Beecham departed this life. He is survived by his son, Larry Bernard Williams (Tonya); grandchildren, Saysaun, Larry, Navacro, Damaco, Amani, and Jazmya; stepsister, Lachonda Williams; siblings, Bruce Beecham, Phyllis Doleman (Jay), Dana Majors (Andy), Beverly McDonald (Mac), Aubria Lee Watson (Stephanie), and a host of relatives and friends.