{{Short description|American boxer}} <!-- For subjects with only a single name, use if necessary. --> <!-- The Infobox_Biography entries are examples only--> {{Infobox boxer | name = Willard Bean | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Willard Washington Bean<!-- if different than name --> | full_name = <!-- if different than name/birth_name --> | nickname = Fighting Parson, Mormon Cyclone | nationality = | birth_date = {{birth date|1868|05|16}} | birth_place = Provo, Utah, United States | death_date = {{death date and age|1949|09|25|1868|05|16}}<!-- {{death date and age|death year|death month|death day|birth year|birth month|birth day}} --> | death_place = Salt Lake City, Utah | height = 5ft 9in<!-- "X cm", "X m" or "X ft Y in" plus optional reference (conversions are automatic) --> | weight = <!-- "X kg", "X lb" or "X st Y lb" plus optional reference (conversions are automatic) --> | weight_class = Middleweight | style= Orthodox | total=18 | wins=8 | KO=5 | losses=7 | draws=3 | no contests=2 |}}
'''Willard Washington Bean''' (May 16, 1868 – September 25, 1949) was an American middleweight boxer and a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). In 1905, Bean claimed the title of middleweight champion of the world.<ref>Purdie Distribution(Jul 22nd, 2019). [https://www.ksl.com/article/46596342/the-fighting-preacher-is-the-best-church-history-story-youve-never-heard 'The Fighting Preacher' is the best church history story you've never heard]. Posted – Jul 22nd, 2019 @ 9:00pm</ref> He was also instrumental in the acquisition of a number of significant properties for the LDS Church, including the Hill Cumorah.
==Biography== Willard Washington Bean was born on May 16, 1868, the seventh of ten children, to George Washington Bean and Elizabeth née Baum.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/missionary/individual/willard-washington-bean-1868?lang=eng | title=Willard Washington Bean}}</ref>
In 1875, when he was about seven years old, his family moved to Sevier County, Utah. They lived on the west side of the Sevier River, about three miles east of the village of Richfield.<ref>Vicki Bean Topliff, Rand H. Packer. [https://www.willardbean.com/wordpress/?page_id=51 Early Years].</ref> From 1894 to 1895 he studied at Brigham Young Academy (now Brigham Young University). He then went on to be a Physical Education Instructor at the University of Utah for two years. He also served as a member of both the Salt Lake City and Richfield police departments, and edited the ''Richfield Reaper''.<ref name=SLT>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17220122/willard_washington_bean/|title=Willard Washington Bean|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=September 27, 1949|page=21|accessdate=November 4, 2019}}</ref>
Bean married Gussie Dee née Felts in the Manti Utah Temple on May 3, 1899, and they had two children. She died on March 27, 1909.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14756801/gussie_dee_felts_bean_morris_mureder/|title=Jan L. Morris kills himself and his wife|newspaper=Salt Lake Herald|date=March 28, 1909|page=1|accessdate=November 4, 2019}}</ref> On September 18, 1914, he married Rebecca Rosetta Peterson, with whom he had another four children.
== Boxing record == He had his boxing debut on September 4, 1897, losing on a points decision. His career lasted for 18 fights, with a record of eight wins, three draws, and seven losses.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/196377 |title = Willard Bean|publisher=BoxRec|accessdate=November 4, 2019}}</ref> However these are only the recorded fights, it is likely that Bean fought in additional contests that haven't been acknowledged.
In 1905, Bean claimed the title of middleweight champion of the world. Although it was not until 1910 with the formation of the International Boxing Union that world title fights were created, until that time champions were generally recognized by public acclamation. The World Middleweight boxing champion at the time was Tommy Ryan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/middle.htm|title=The Lineal Middleweight Champions|publisher=The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia}}</ref>
== Missionary work == In 1907, the LDS Church purchased the farmhouse and surrounding land in Palmyra, New York, that was originally owned by Joseph Smith Sr. In 1915, Bean was sent as a missionary to live at the farm, the first members of the church to live in Palmyra in eighty-four years. He was instrumental in acquiring additional properties of historical significance to the church, including the Hill Cumorah.<ref>{{cite journal|title="A Man Raised Up": The Role of Willard W. Bean in the Acquisition of the Hill Cumorah|first=David F.|last=Boone|journal=Journal of Book of Mormon Studies|volume=13/1–2 |date=2004|pages=168–169|issn=1065-9366}}</ref> Through his and his family's work three branches of the church were subsequently established in the area. They were released from their mission in 1939, and returned to Salt Lake City, where Bean died on September 25, 1949.<ref name=SLT/>
== In the media and popular culture == ''The Fighting Preacher'' is a 2019 drama film depicting the 24-year missionary service of Willard and Rebecca Bean in Palmyra, New York.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2019/07/19/lds-story-fighting/ |title = For LDS story 'The Fighting Preacher,' filmmaker turns real life into a movie}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.ksl.com/article/46596342/the-fighting-preacher-is-the-best-church-history-story-youve-never-heard |title = 'The Fighting Preacher' is the best church history story you've never heard}}</ref> The film was written and directed by T. C. Christensen.
==References== {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bean, Willard}} Category:1949 deaths Category:Middleweight boxers Category:American male boxers Category:1868 births Category:People from Provo, Utah Category:American Mormon missionaries in the United States Category:20th-century Mormon missionaries Category:Brigham Young Academy alumni Category:University of Utah staff