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The gift of a lifetime for four Brown County non-profit organizations from a Green Bay couple who passed away. They left in their will more than $1.7 million. 

Angus and Norma Beaton loved giving back to local charities. They had long-ties to Green Bay, but no children.

Every time a bell rings, Clyde Truttmann wants everyone to remember the Beatons.

"They were like second parents to me," Truttmann said.

Truttmann became close with the Beatons when he was 5-years-old, and was later left in charge of their will, which they wanted to give to charity.

"It was a long wait," Truttmann said. "The one thing I was worried about, was I going to live long enough to do it?"

The donation had to wait in case Norma lived longer and needed the money.

"He died August 31st of 1987. She died November of 1987. Nine weeks apart, but the will was already written, so it had to go for 25 years," Truttmann said.

The money grew to more than $1.7-million. About $685,000was donated to the Salvation Army. The couple's favorite charity.

"Every December, he instructed me to write out a check to the Salvation Army and send it to them," Truttmann said.

The donation took Captain Ken Shiels by surprise.

"A gift like this one from the Beatons will help us keep the doors in good shape, keep the building in good shape, and keep the doors open at all our facilities," Shiels said.

And keep the hope for others alive after their death.

"They set a good example for people to leave something for their communities in the future," Truttmann said.

About $342,000 was each given to the Bay Area Humane Society, the American Red Cross, and the YMCA--all organizations the couple was closely involved with through their lives.