On the morning of November 6th, 2021, playwright, thespian, and father, Charles “Butch” Beckum peacefully took his final bow. Butch lived a storied, but always humble, life as an actor, wanderer, and warrior-poet for 61 adventurous years.

His proud and esteemed service as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force inspired his most treasured work, “Learning to Fly,” a one-man show about the Vietnam War, which enjoyed local production and was well received.

He is survived by his daughters, Ally Beckum and Shiloh Beckum, Sons-in-Law Kyle Beckum & Benjamin Sommers, his sister Myleen Beckum, and his two extremely affectionate cats, Phil and Boots. He was preceded in death by his parents, Myles and Bonnie Beckum. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center in Whitewater on Friday, December 10th from 5-8 p.m.

Butch did not believe in saying goodbye because we’re never apart for long and, if he could, would tell his family, friends, and every reader of this obituary “…until then.”

To post an online condolence you may click here and select “tribute wall.”

Derrick Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family of Charles Beckum.