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Big Woody School District #1621 was formed in 1912. In the early days the school hosted plays, debates and many social functions as well as students. William Sylvester Alpheus “Billy” Beal was an active proponent and participant in all of those activities. Mr. Beal, one of the first black settlers in the area, had come to the Swan River valley following his trade of steam engineer.
On June 19 1989, community members gathered to dedicate a memorial to this talented man. Aside from his profession, he was knowledgeable in astronomy; building his own telescope from stove pipe, he built the first radio in the area, he had medical training and assisted the local doctor, he was a photographer and he had a commitment to learning and community, serving as Secretary on the school board for many years.
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George Hunt Sr. speaking at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Big Woody Hall, Swan River Mb
Gathering at memorial dedication for William S. A. Beal Memorial, l.to r. Lloyd Hanson, Charlie Brandson in the background, George Hunt Sr., Mervyn Minish, Roy Bowles, Jim Brown and Jean Hunt. Fairdale Cemetery, Big Woody district, Swan River Mb
Leigh Hambly, author of Beal biography, being interviewed by Marlene Hohne at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Gathering at dedication of memorial to William Beal: seated; Gertie Chegwin, Lizzie Brandson, Eileen Sigurdson, Ethel and Jim Brown, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Dedication of a memorial for William S.A. Beal at the Fairdale cemetery. Inga Einarson and Helen McLean on the right. Ethel Brown, Beth Ingram and Helen Prieston – near background left. Behind them; Fay Foster and Lorraine Eggie (?) left and Evelyn Moore, Maxine and Gord Zamzow center background, Audrey and Ed Dobbyn seated on right, Swan River Mb
Gathering at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Prayers at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Beth and Dave Brown singing at dedication of memorial to William Beal; Leigh Hambly, Donalda and Garry Mills, Bruce Hogg in background. Marie Grieder- bg right, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Beth and Dave Brown singing at dedication of memorial to William Beal; Donalda and Garry Mills, Bruce Hogg in background. Marie, Gayle and Warren Grieder, bg right, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Albert Mills and Roy Bowles at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Gathering at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Gord Zamzow and Bill Moore at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Edie and Lloyd Hanson, George Hunt and Roy Bowles at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Craig and Marlene Hohne doing interviews at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Jim Chegwin at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Ethel Brown, Jim Chegwin, Charlie Brandson, Marlene and Craig Hohne, Gertie Chegwin at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Ed and Tom Barrow at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb
Gathering at dedication of memorial to William Beal, Fairdale Cemetery, Swan River Mb. Carolyn Baldwin, Shari Eggie, Jimmy Chegwin, George Fierstine, Glen and Alec Eggie, Ed Barrow, Garry and Donalda Mills
