William J. and Shirley Beggs of Cape Girardeau celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a dinner and reception June 20, 2009.

Hosts were their children and grandchildren.

The couple was married June 20, 1959, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

The Beggses have four children, William W. (Diana) of Benton, Mo., Rebecca (J) of Ruston, La., Bruce (Karen) of Kelso, Mo., and Bradley (Ellen) of St. Louis.

They have 10 grandchildren, Jessica Moore and William G. Beggs of St. Louis, Nathan, Nicholas and Nolan Bennett of Ruston, Joseph, Allison and Paul Beggs of Kelso, and Luke and Lydia Beggs of St. Louis.