Rev. William Joseph Bean

REV. WILLIAM JOSEPH BEAN passed from his earthly life of 83 years on February 16, 2026, at his home in Alexandria, Tennessee, attended by his wife, Martha. Born to Rev. Joe L. and Dorothy Walker Bean, his early childhood and teenage years were lived in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Indiana as a “PK” (pastor’s kid). Bill, as he was best known, was a proud US Army veteran and father of three sons, William J. Bean, Jr., Chris, and Jason.

While serving in Vietnam, he responded to God’s call to ministry and spent 30 years as an ordained pastor in the Church of the Nazarene in Kentucky and Indiana. Most of his ministry was in small churches which necessitated working bivocationally. He used it as an opportunity for ministering to a broader community, extending friendship through his involvement in local community service and events. In various locations, in addition to pastoring, he served as city patrolman, deputy coroner, hospital and fire department chaplain, band booster president, food pantry organizer, and Santa Claus! He loved ministering to individuals of all ages and families. With his first mission trip, he fell in love with people of other cultures. He served on short-term mission trips to Kenya, Malawi, Guatemala, Mexico, and Spain, and looked forward to leading teams on an annual mission trip to Native American Christian Academy in Arizona for 16 years.

Even in retirement, he found ministry opportunities to serve and following a move to Tennessee, assisted with planting the Watertown (TN) Church of the Nazarene.

In addition to his parents and beloved grandparents, he was preceded in death by his namesake son, William J. Bean, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Martha; sons Chris (Debbie) of Milford, Ohio, and Jason (Kimberly) of Alexandria, Tennessee; daughter-in-law Dawn of Indianapolis, Indiana and former daughter-in-law, Mollie of Old Hickory, Tennessee; grandsons Ethan (Christine) and Josiah Bean; granddaughters Erin (Mike) Holser, Emily Bean, Jessica Bean, Abigail (Cam) Perryman, Jaquey Bean; step-grandson Jackson Clarke and step-granddaughter Megan (Matt) Richter; great-granddaughter Lea Dorsey; great-grandsons Sol, Sai, and Gray Dorsey, Ryder Bean, Mason Perryman, a step-great-grandson, Michael Richter, and an unborn great-grandson; brother Richard (Martha) Bean of Indianapolis; much-loved nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

Visitation will be 3:00pm to 8:00 PM Friday, February 27, 2026, at Flanner Buchanan Decatur Township, 5463 Kentucky Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46221, and one hour before the service at Southwest Church of the Nazarene, 4797 Tincher Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46221. Celebration of Life will begin at 1:00 PM Saturday, February 28, 2026, with interment at West Newton Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Native American Christian Academy. Click on the link https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/in-memory-of-bill-bean-completion-of-nacas-second-boys-dormitory.

To share your stories and memories with Bill’s family and to sign the online guest registry please go to www.flannerbuchanan.com