Billy George Beard

Billy George Beard, 88, 7 Wentworth Place, passed away Monday evening, Aug. 16, 2010 at a local hospital.

Mr. Beard was born in Rome on April 27, 1922, the son of the late George C. Beard and Sara Greene Beard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Cora Beard Cochran and Marion Beard Ware, brother, Nunally O. Beard, and nephew, Wayne Ware.

Mr. Beard was a well-known merchant having worked at Montgomery-Ward in Rome and then assistant manager at their stores in Maryland and Virginia. After returning to Rome, he worked with Belk-Rhodes for several years and also Wheeler’s Men’s Wear. Later he owned and operated Beard’s Store for Men and then retired from Rome Manufacturing Co. He was a member of the Rome Church of Christ where he led the singing for many years.

After graduation from Boys High School in 1941 he went into the Army serving with the First Infantry Division (Big Red One). He was a veteran of “D” Day on Omaha Beach and received the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, European-African Medal with Spearhead and with four Major Battle Stars and the Army of Occupation Medal.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 59 years, Doris Jones Beard, to whom he was married Aug. 26, 1951; one daughter, Leigh Beard Wilson, and her husband, L. Steve Wilson, Cave Spring; one son, David W. Beard, Calhoun; nieces, Rita B. Montgomery, and husband, Ray, Cartersville, and Gayle W. Bowman, Rome; nephews, Tim Ware, and wife, Beverly, Cedar Bluff, AL, and Tony Cochran, and wife, Tina, St. Augustine, FL; and a number of great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug, 19, at 11 a.m. at the Thomas B. Griffin Memorial Chapel of Daniel’s Funeral Home with Ministers Brooks Boyd and Alvis Miller officiating. Interment will be in the Oaknoll Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Ron Dasher, Tony Cochran, Vic Tinney, Bill Greer, Tim Ware and Ken Hardin.

The family will receive friends at Daniel’s Funeral Home on Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 5 until 7 p.m.