Born in Mendota, Illinois and raised in East St. Louis, Missouri.

He graduated from Central Catholic High School.

He joined the army in 1943 and served in the 394th Field Artillery Battalion in Europe during World War II.

[1] On July 31, 1979, Beatty was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois created by 93 Stat.

He assumed senior status on November 9, 1992, serving in that capacity until his death, on July 22, 2001, in Edwardsville, Illinois.