DL pilot William “Will” Becker

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

DL pilot William “Will” Becker

October 23, 1968 - July 14, 2026

 

Facebook posting:  https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Will%20Becker

With the permission of his wife, Anne, announcing the passing of a husband, father, brother, and best friend, William Becker. He passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday night July 14.

Visitation service Friday July 24 5:00-7:00

- https://linnemannfuneralhomes.com/.../william-will-becker/  

If you have ANY photos of Will that we can use for the visitation please send them to willsphotos57@gmail.com . RIP our friend. May his memory be eternal.

 

PCN memorial site

 

https://linnemannfuneralhomes.com/obituary/william-will-becker/

 

William “Will” Carl Becker, 57, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He was the son of the late Hasso and Hanna (Meyer) Becker, born on October 23, 1968, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

Will obtained his bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Cincinnati. He soon went to flying school and became a commercial airline pilot. Will flew for just over 30 years and most recently was proudly employed at Delta Air Lines, one of the most trusted airlines in the world.  He was the rock of his family, bringing the same steady, dependable presence to his home that he did to his cockpit as a Delta pilot. At 57, his greatest joy wasn’t navigating the skies but raising his 16-year-old son and sharing an unbreakable, lifelong bond with his devoted wife, Anne. As a husband, he loved Anne fiercely and treated her with deep respect, always making her feel cherished through every season of their life together. Whether having father/son vacations to Siesta Key and Lake Tahoe, or finding every local chocolatier during layovers for Anne, Will was a truly exceptional dad and partner whose warmth and dedication defined his family’s world. He loved cars and guns! He was a truly avid firearms enthusiast and enjoyed classic cars and fast cars.  His presence will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hasso and Hanna Becker; sister, Susanne Becker, and a very special, feline furry mistress, Miss Kitty, who adored Will.

 

Those left here to mourn his great loss are his best friend and loving wife, Anne (Matthews) Becker; son, Walter Becker; brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Susan Becker; brother-in-law, Greg Jowaisas; nieces Anna Jowaisas and Rachel Becker; nephew Stefan Becker; his lazy cat companions, Scatter, Smokey Bones, Babe Cat, and Oreo, and a host of friends and great co-workers at Delta and Endeavor.

 

A Visitation will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Linnemann Funeral Home in Burlington, KY. (1940 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005).

DL Capt. Robert W. Wardlaw Jr.

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. Robert W. Wardlaw Jr.

March 8, 1937 ~ June 4, 2026

 

From family we have learned that Delta Golden Wings member retired Delta Air Lines pilot Capt. Bob Wardlaw has passed.  Born in Texas and graduated from Lake Charles High in 1955, Bob then attended Louisiana State University.  He did his preflight training and solo at the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida.  Captain Robert “Bob” Wilton Wardlaw Jr. joined Delta Air Lines 01-08-1969 and was based New Orleans and Atlanta.  Bob is survived by his wife Connie. 

The Wardlaws resided in Smyrna GA, and most recently in Marietta.

Arrangements are not yet known.

As more information is received, we will be sure to pass it along.

 Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

PCN memorial site

NWA Capt. W.H. Rique Beslin

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, NWA Capt. W.H. Rique Beslin

July 2, 1936 — July 12, 2026

 

RNPA member retired Northwest pilot Captain William Henry Rique Beslin joined Northwest Airlines 11-04-1968.  Widowed in 2021, Rique is survived by his children and their families.

 

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.bentoncountymemorialpark.com/obituaries/wh-beslin 

Obituary

W.H. Rique Beslin, 90, of Rogers, Arkansas passed away on July 12, 2026. He was born on July 2, 1936, in Houston, Texas to Henry and Laurine (Cade) Beslin.

 

After graduating from the University of Georgia, Rique served in the United States Navy from 1959 until 1968 including multiple tours in Vietnam as a LCDR and fighter pilot. He started flying for Northwest Airlines in 1968 and retired as a Captain flying the Boeing 757 in 1996. Rique was a 32d Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a 51-year member of Corinthian Lodge, #43, in Farmington Minnesota. He was also a member of the Scimitar Shrine Temple and a longtime member of the NWA Shrine Clown Club. He was a member of Brightwater Memorial United Methodist Church in Rogers Arkansas. Rique was a devoted husband and father to his wife Carmaleita and all three of his children as well as a Brother, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. He will always be remembered for being a strong provider to his family, for being fiercely loyal to his friends, and a true believer in God.

 

Rique is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Carmaleita Beslin.

 

He is survived by his children, Toni Shoulders of Tulsa, OK, Rique Beslin Jr. of Inver Grove Heights, MN, and Scott Beslin of Otsego, MN; brother, Kenneth Vance Lee of Bangs, TX; six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

 

A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25th from 10-11AM at Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home, 3800 W Walnut Street, Rogers, AR 72756. A funeral service will follow immediately after at 11AM. Entombment to follow at Benton County Memorial Park mausoleum.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Shriners Children’s Hospital, https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/ways-to-give/giving-to-shriners-childrens

 

https://www.bentoncountymemorialpark.com/obituaries/carmaleita-beslin 

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Carmaleita Beslin

d. Jul 14, 2021

Carmaleita Beslin was called by the Lord after a long illness on July 14th. A Life Member of the Order of Eastern Star where she was a Worthy Matron and active in the Daughters of the Nile. She also held offices at Brightwater UMC. She is survived by her husband W.H. Rique Beslin, happily married for fifty seven years………………….

PAA/DL Capt. Charles "Chuck" Dike

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, PAA/DL Capt. Charles "Chuck" Dike

June 10, 1939 — May 15, 2025

 

Charles (Chuck) Anthony Dike, 85, of Fall City, WA, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, at his home in Marietta, GA………………...

Captain Dike began his commercial flying career with Pan American World Airways 02-28-1966 and retired with Delta Air Lines based SLC. 

 

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.westcobbfuneralhome.com/obituaries/charles-chuck-dike

         Charles "Chuck" Anthony Dike Jr.

Charles (Chuck) Anthony Dike, 85, of Fall City, WA, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, at his home in Marietta, GA. Born on June 10, 1939, in Bellevue, WA, Charles called Washington State home throughout most of his life — a life defined by service, adventure, music, and family.

Charles built a distinguished career as an international airline pilot, spending 25 years with Pan American World Airways, where he flew routes that took him across the globe. He later flew for Delta Air Lines for an additional 5 years, logging a lifetime of miles in the sky and memories around the globe. To those who knew him, he wore the wings with quiet pride.

Before taking to the skies, Charles answered his country's call and served honorably in the United States Army. His time in uniform instilled in him a patriotism and sense of duty that would shape every chapter of his life that followed.

He was a man of beautiful contradictions. Despite all his adventures abroad, Charles most appreciated his quiet home life with his family. He was a pragmatist at heart who nonetheless poured his soul into writing poetry and could move a room playing classical pieces on the piano. He found joy and inspiration in opera music, and his appreciation for the arts reflected the depth and sensitivity beneath his steady exterior.

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Salma Sammakia; his children, Clifford Anthony Dike, Kristina Renee Ericsson, and Kimberly A Cervantes; his stepchildren, Ingy Purvis (married to Mitchell Purvis) and Amr Hallaba (married to Darragh Wright); and his grandchildren: Daniel Banda, Sofia Rodrigo, and Natalie Rodrigo; and his step-grandchild Maya Purvis.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Anthony Dike Sr and Dorothy Jewell Dike; his sisters, Emily Dike Aceto and Kathryn Jewell Anthony; and his nephew Simon Erik Aceto.

Charles Anthony Dike lived a life of purpose, passion, and love. He will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him, and his memory will soar as freely as he once did above the clouds.

Charles was laid to rest on May 23, 2025 at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/282631571/charles-anthony-dike 

DL Capt. Douglas W. Smith

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

DL Capt. Douglas W. Smith

Mar 4, 1949 — Jul 12, 2026

 

Captain Douglas “Doug” Wayne Smith joined Delta Air Lines 01-24-1977 and was based LGA & JFK.  Doug is survived by his wife Dianna “Dee”, and by his children and their families. 

Having most recently resided in Vermont, whitepages lists the family’s address as

167 Windswept Ln, South Burlington, VT 05403.

A Celebration of Life event is planned for later this fall….please see obituary below.

 

PCN memorial site

 

 

https://www.minorfh.com/obituaries/douglas-smith

 

Douglas Smith

Mar 4, 1949 — Jul 12, 2026

South Burlington

Douglas W. Smith, 77 years of age, passed away in the early morning hours of July 12, 2026. Doug was an active participant in the aviation community and a beloved grandfather to his three grandchildren, Sienna, Crew, and Winnie.

Doug began his career as a psychologist in New South Wales, Australia, but quickly realized he wanted to pursue his passion for aviation. He returned to the US to obtain additional ratings and licenses to become a professional pilot and began his aviation career as a flight instructor in Vermont. He later flew for Basler Airlines in Wisconsin, served as Chief Flight Instructor at Auburn University, and became a Delta Airlines pilot for 30 years. Upon retiring from Delta he flew for Air India, founded the Vermont Flight Academy, and worked to create the four-year Professional Pilot Technology degree at Vermont State University. Doug also served as an FAA Designated Flight Examiner. Beyond aviation, Doug was an avid writer, sailor, model train enthusiast, and genealogist who enjoyed preserving family stories.

Doug is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dianna (“Dee”) Smith; his three children, Corbin Smith, Hans Smith, and Rachel Keyser, as well as William Keyser, Lauren Smith, and his three grandchildren. He will be dearly missed as a vibrant, active, and loving man who embraced life to its fullest.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in the Fall. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a gift in his name, please consider donating to the Vermont Alzheimer’s Association, the Vermont Diabetes Association, or the Vermont Flight Academy.