Arthur Lester "Buddy" Beckett Jr.

Arthur Lester “Buddy” Beckett, Jr. - age 48 of Lenoir City, TN, formerly of Canton, Il, passed away Sunday morning, March 28, 2021, at his home after a two year illness. Buddy was a truck driver with Highway Transport driving a semi since he was 18. He was a member of Crossroad Church of the Nazarene in Lenoir City. Preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Jennifer Beckett. Survived by his wife of 30 years, Sonja Noel Beckett; sons, Josh Havelka (Samantha Peters) and Matthew Morse; daughter, Skyler Foster. Buddy and Sonja have also helped raise many children in both Illinois and Tennessee. Also survived by his grandchildren: Haylee Lynn Havelka, Skylyn Marie Havelka, and Keenan Tate Havelka; father, Art Beckett, Sr.; mother and stepfather, Shirley and Terry Williams; brothers: Clyde Beckett, David Lavann, Tim Lavann, and Terry Williams, Jr.; sister, Amanda Morse; mother of his grandchildren, Alyssa Contreras; special friends, Junior and Tanjelia Baker, along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graveside service will be held April 1, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. in Ellisville Cemetery in Ellisville Il.  A visitation will be held prior to service from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at wise family Funeral Home in Avon, Il.  A celebration of Buddy’s life is being planned in Tennessee and later date.