Edsel R. Beaty, 88, Knoxville, Tennessee passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, November 27, 2014. Edsel was born and reared in Clinton County, in the city of Albany, Kentucky, the eldest of nine children of Oswald Denton Beaty and Lottie Sue Taylor Beaty. In 1944, at the age of 18, he began his service in the U.S. Army, where he served in General George S. Patton’s 51st Armored Infantry Battalion Division “C”, Fourth Armored Division. Following basic training Edsel was deployed on the Queen Elizabeth, eventually landing on Normandy Beach. In January, 1945, he fought in the “Battle of the Bulge,” and in April, 1945, his 4th Armored Division discovered and liberated Buchenwald, one of the largest concentration camps near Weirmar, Germany. Edsel was discharged in 1946 and awarded a Bronze Star for his combat service with General Patton’s 4th Armored Division during World War II. After completing barber school, Edsel worked in Albany, and eventually relocated to Detroit, Michigan where he became the Executive Barber for Ford Motor Company. During his career of 33 years, Edsel cut the hair of many famous people, such as Ed Sullivan, Walt Disney and Texas Governor John Connelly. He was also the barber of all Ford executives, including Henry Ford II, William Clay Ford, Benson Ford, Lee Iacoca and Robert McNamara, who became Secretary of Defense under President Kennedy. After retirement from Ford Motor Company, Edsel and Sarah moved to Knoxville, Tennessee in 1987. In addition to his parents, Edsel was preceded in death by his son, Robert Edsel Beaty; sister, June Conlogue Watson and brother, Bennis Beaty.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sarah Parrigin Beaty; daughter and son-in-law, Shalimar and Mark Hurst; son, Brian Beaty; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, Jacob Beaty, Ethan and Evan Staley and Lily Ann Chandler; siblings and spouses, Martha Sue and Hughel Phillips, Jimmie Ruth and John Williams, all of Florida, O.D Jr. and Lillian Beaty, Lala and Walton Haddix, Jack Beaty, Joan and Danny Groce, all of Albany; several special nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held Sunday, November 30, 2014 at 3 p.m. at Talbott Funeral Home in Albany, KY. with Rev. David Stearns officiating. Interment at Maupin Cemetery in Albany with full military honors. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 785517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Arrangements by Talbott Funeral Home in Albany, KY.