Leverett Lee "Whitey" Beardsley, 93, of Coal Valley, IL, passed away Thursday, March 30, 2023 at his home, surrounded by family.

A memorial visitation will be 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline. Interment will be at a later date in Bowlesburg Cemetery, Silvis, IL. Memorials may be made to QC Paws or Bridging the Gap QCA/Stand Down.

Leverett was born July 25, 1929, in Moline, Illinois, a son of Alfred J. and L. Violet Miller Beardsley. He married Lillian Elaine Heald on January 16, 1969 in East Moline, Illinois. She preceded him in death on September 25, 1999.

Leverett was a US Navy veteran during the Korean War. Following his military service, he worked for the Rock Island Lines, as well as numerous other railroads in the area. He was instrumental in the forming of the Federation of Former Rock Island Railroad Employees and was the President of QC Golf, and the Beardsley Company. He also owned and operated the Little Red Caboose Night Club in the early 1970's as well as other clubs in his earlier days.

Known to many as Lee or Whitey, Leverett was a talented and avid golfer, and lifelong member of the PGA. He loved sweets, animals, reading, old school country music, and he could tell stories for days. He was the Senior Scrabble Champion between his grandson, Jason C. Adams, and himself. He was very proud of his very large collection of books and would often tell people, with pride, that they were all non-fiction. He also was extremely proud of his litigations as a non-attorney, regarding railroad employees, one of which actually made it to the Supreme Court.

Surviving are his children, Daniel Morris, Rock Island, Sue (Al) Adams, Coal Valley, and Jack "Rusty" Morris in Easton, Pennsylvania; 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; 7 great, great grandchildren; 2 nieces, and 1 nephew, and additional extended family.

Leverett was preceded in death by his wife; daughter, Laurel Atkins; his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Keith and Mary Beardsley.

Online condolences may be left for the family at vanhoe.com