William J. Beyer, 81, of Belvidere, died Monday, January 6, 2014 in his home. He was born on December 31, 1932 in Evanston, Illinois; son of Clarence and Sylvia (Radebaugh) Beyer. Bill graduated from Niles High School in Skokie, Il and attended Ashbury College. He was a writer for the Chicago Daily News before becoming a poet. His writings appeared in the New York Times, The Commonwealth Yankee English Journal and the Saturday Evening Post. Bill served his country honorably in the Navy during the Korean War. He was a member of the Writer's Guild and "Who's Who in Poetry" in England. Bill is survived by 3 cousins, Lorraine Hoelzel, Belvidere; Daryl Radebaugh, Grays Lake, IL; and Bruce Radebaugh, Humble, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents.