W. C. (Bill) Bean of Protection, a prominent and widely known Comanche county stockman and business man, died at the Wesley hospital in Wichita, following a short illness and as the immediate result of an operation for kidney stones, Saturday evening, June 20, at 6:00 p.m.

The deceased had been a sufferer from a kidney infection for several years, but the disease had not reached an acute stage until just recently. He had gone to the hospital about 10 days ago and surgeons had decided that his only relief was an operation and it was found necessary to remove one kidney. He never rallied fully from the operation as its shock and the condition of his general health prevented sufficient vitality for him to rally and a few days following the operation he passed away.

Mr. Bean had led an active life in business circles in Comanche county. At one time he was in the butcher business in Wilmore, and later operated a shop and grocery in Protection, selling this store a few years ago and returning to the cattle and stock business which he had followed most of his life and continuing therein until his death.

He was a member of a pioneer family of the Wilmore neighborhood, and had lived most of his active life in the county. He was industrious and shrewd as a business man and quite successful in his business ventures.

Mr. Bean was 47 years of age at the time of his death and leaves his wife and small daughter, both at the family home in Protection, several brothers, one P. N. Bean, a resident of Protection and one sister, Mrs. Isenbart, who resides on the home ranch of the Bean family, south of Wilmore in this county, and many nieces and nephews and other immediate relatives.

The remains accompanied by Mrs. Bean and her daughter arrived in Protection over the Englewood, Monday noon, and lay in state at the home until Tuesday, June 23 at 2:30 p.m. when the funeral obsequies, conducted by Elder J. H. Lynch, pastor of the local congregation of the Church of Christ, was held from the Methodist Church in Protection, and interment was in the family plot in the cemetery at Coldwater, Kansas.

William Cooper Bean was born at Plano, Jacks county, Texas, June 15, 1884, and died at the Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Kansas, June 20, 1931, at the age of 47 years and 5 days.

In the spring of 1885, he moved with his parents to Comanche county, Kansas.

On January 1, 1915, he was united in marriage with Miss Maude McDaniel of Medford, Okla. To this union one child was born, a daughter, Velma.

In the fall of 1915, he and his wife came to Protection, Kansas, where Mr. Bean engaged in the mercantile business, which business he conducted until recent years. At the time of his death, he was engaged in the cattle business, and was well-known in this as well as adjoining counties, as a stockman.

Some 15 years ago, while Rev. Rayborn was conducting a meeting in Coldwater, Mr. Bean went forward in answer to the invitation and made the confession.

He was also a member of the Independent order of Odd Fellows. Feeling that his health was failing, Mr. Bean went to Wichita, early in June to consult a physician, where he underwent a major operation at the Wesley Hospital on June 16. For a few days, the operation seemed to have been a success and death came as a shock on the evening of June 20.

He leaves to miss him and to mourn his going, his good wife and daughter, Velma; one sister, Mrs. G.J. Isenbart of Wilmore, Kansas; three brothers, namely: F.M. of Lamar, Colo.; H.O. of Jacksboro, Texas, and P.N. Bean of Protection, Kansas; also a large number of other relatives and friends. His father and mother preceded him in death.

Among the many good things that may be said of Mr. Bean, we find this, he always had a deep appreciation and highest regard for his fellowman and was always willing first of all to believe him, honest and true.

The funeral services, conducted by Elder J. H. Lynch, pastor of the local Christian Church, were held from the M. E. Church of Protection, Tuesday afternoon, June 23, at 2:30, and interment was in the Coldwater cemetery.

The pallbearers were as follows: Acting: F.B. Hullet, Chester Harden, J.B. Waters, G.C. Ellison, Ralph Large and J.J. Edmonston. Honorary: Paul Schauble, A.B. Shoemaker, J.D. Grove, J.E. Decker, J.A. Younker and George Downing.

Charles M. Bean, Obituary, The Western Star, May 4, 1900. (Father of William Cooper Bean.)

Nancy M. (Cooper) Bean, Obituary, The Western Star, January 14, 1927. (Mother of William Cooper Bean.)

Lucile Thelma Bean, Obituary, The Western Star, April 6, 1926. (Daughter of Henry Oscar Bean, niece of William Cooper Bean.)

Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!

This RootsWeb website is being created by Jerry Ferrin with the able assistance of many Contributors. Your comments, suggestions and contributions of historical information and photographs to this site are welcome. Please sign the Guest Book. This page was last updated 29 January 2006.