Willet I. Beavers was born to Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Beavers, Sr., on 13 November 1933 in Billings, Montana. He received his B.S. (1955) and M.S. (1959) in physics from the University of Missouri and his Ph.D. (1965) in astrophysics from Indiana University. Prior to coming to Iowa State, Beavers served in the U.S. Navy (1955-1957) and was an Instructor (1963-1965) at the University of Missouri.



Beavers joined the faculty of Iowa State as Assistant Professor (1965-1969) in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He was promoted to Associate Professor (1969-1981) and Professor (1981-1988).



During Beavers' tenure at Iowa State, a new research observatory, the Erwin W. Fick Observatory, was constructed. Beavers was instrumental in outfitting the new observatory with astronomical instrumentation that would keep Iowa State competitive with larger facilities around the country. Working with students and staff he conducted research on a range of stellar observations including: photoelectric stellar radial velocity measurements, stellar amplitude interferometry, spectrum scanner studies, solar eclipse observations, rapid photometry, and lunar occultations. Beavers also led several scientific expeditions to study solar eclipses, including trips to Africa (1973), Canada (1979), India (1980), and Java (1983).



Willet Beavers married Nancy Sue Murray. Together they had 2 children, Valerie and Willet, Jr.