Hector William Beaton, 83, Loved Being a Pilot

Jock was born a stones throw from the golf course in Golspie, Scotland on August 25, 1931. While attending the University of Edinburgh in 1951, Jock was drafted and joined the Royal Air Force. His received his wings in 1953 and as a new pilot he was stationed in Celle, W. Germany where he met a beautiful German girl called Ulla. Jock learned to speak German; Ulla learned to speak English and they were married in 1955, a marriage that lasted almost 60 years.

Jock loved being a pilot and flew fighter jets including the Meteor, Vampire, Venom, Hunter and F5. By far his favorite jet was the Harrier which he flew as a Squadron Leader on No. 1 Squadron, until his retirement in 1976. After retirement Jock and Ulla immigrated to the United States where Ulla was reunited with her twin sister Gretchen. Jock joined Stanadyne (Moen) shortly after arriving in Lorain and started a new career with faucets, retiring in 1992 as the Director of Customer Service.

As a lad in Scotland he learned to play golf and the bagpipes, both of which he enjoyed throughout his life. Jock was a member of several golf leagues and loved living on a golf course! Jock joined the Lochaber Pipe Band back in 1976 and was a very active member, playing his bagpipes every week. He especially enjoyed practice the past few years when the band found a new home at the Amherst Eagles Post 1442 where he met many new friends and discovered new talents as an inventor of the “Rumplekiltskin”. He also learned to play tennis while in the R.A.F. and played for many years including a few matches at Wimbledon.

Family was very important to Jock. He is survived by the love of his life Ulla (nee Bieber), his daughter Sabine (Glenn) Wright, his son James (Michelle), his brother Robert in Golspie, Scotland, his sister in laws Gretchen, Erika, Hanna and Reni, his grandchildren Jennifer, Matthew, Steffani (Seth), Emily and Robert Beaton, Iain and Alex Wright, his great granddaughter Aubrie, his step grandchildren Darrel Wright, Katie, Christina and Kevin Heishman, his step great granddaughter Madison, nieces Elisabeth Sutherland, Helen (Rab) Pringle, Margaret Newell and nephews Hector and Beaton (Carole) Sutherland. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Margaret (nee Sutherland) Beaton and his sister Anna Sutherland.

Funeral services will be private.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

The Schwartz, Spence Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street is handling the arrangements. Online condolences at www.boyercool.com.