William N. (Bill) Beard

William Newton Beard went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 31, 2012, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born on April 2, 1934, in Bluffton, Georgia and grew up in Moultrie, Georgia. He attended Auburn University from 1951 until 1955, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction. In 1957 he married the love of his life, Betty Barnett, who he met in 1952 at Auburn. Upon graduation he began employment in Houston, Texas with Farnsworth and Chambers Co., Inc. as an estimator. In 1956 Bill had a six month tour of duty with the army as a first lieutenant. After that, he again worked for Farnsworth and Chambers in several capacities until 1961. From 1961 to 1973 he was executive vice president for Warrior Constructors. He then co-founded Mayan Construction, Inc. and served as president until 1977 when he started Beard Builders, Inc. He retired from that in 1989. Bill was an active member of the AGC and truly enjoyed being a part of the construction industry. Bill was a member of Second Baptist Church; and involved as a deacon, in Bible Study leadership and other areas of service. He helped lead two church construction mission trips to Brazil. One of his joys at SBC was serving dinner on Wednesday nights at outreach. He loved being with people and was always looking for ways to be of help to someone. One of Bill’s desires was to become an airplane pilot and at the age of fifty, he accomplished that. After retirement he took up golf and he also had time to travel; especially enjoying cruises. Throughout his life he enjoyed fishing and hunting. Bill was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and a caring neighbor and friend. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Kathryn Beard Salvie, and his brothers, Cecil Beard and Philip Beard. He is survived by his wife, Betty, his son, Bob and wife, Maura and son, Alan and wife, Emily, grandsons, Mark and John Salvie, Hamilton, Addison and Grayson Beard, Jackson Beard and granddaughter, Avery Beard. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 4, 2012.at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. Memorial Service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 5, 2012 in the sanctuary at Second Baptist Church, Woodway Campus. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.