William “Bill” Thomas
Beard, 91, of Mableton, died September 16, 2016. He was born January 10,
1925 in Atlanta, the son of Gertrude and William Henderson Beard. Bill
grew up in Grant Park, Mableton and West End.
At the age of 18, he was drafted into the United States Army where he
fought in the European Campaign of WW II. He was a paratrooper with the
Airborne Division-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and fought in the
Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. Bill was discharged on December 14,
1945, one month before his 21st birthday.
Upon leaving the army, Bill returned to Atlanta. He worked for the
Veteran’s Administration while attending law school at night. He married
Elizabeth Whitehead and they had four children Phil, Steve, Margaret and
Billy. Bill practiced law for 60 years in Cobb County, retiring in 2012.
He was a faithful member and deacon at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. He was
always a family man, enjoying time with his siblings and their families
as well as his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He
coached Little League baseball for a number of years and was a member of
the Masonic Lodge. Bill was a loyal member of the Lions Club of Mableton
where he served in a number of leadership roles including President.
Bill was unfailingly cheerful with a witty personality and a sharp mind
until the very end.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Gertrude Beard,
his sisters Virginia and Sue, and his brother Doug. He is survived by
his wife Elizabeth and his children Phil (Susan), Steve (Kathy),
Margaret Ayres and Billy (Lori). He is also survived by grandchildren
Chris, Amy, Erin, Kerry, Lewis, Walker, Miles and Lisa. His
great-grandchildren are Ruthie, Zaccary, Padraig, Nicolas, Lucas, Willa,
Gus, Audrey and Dezi.
Funeral services were held at White Columns Chapel, 1115 Clay Road,
Mableton. A family burial was at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. |
[courtesy of Joseph G. Benning Sr.] Grave marker for
William T. Beard in Georgia National Cemetery, Canton (Cherokee,
Georgia.
William enlisted in the
Army at Fort McPherson, Atlanta, GA.
On 11 January 1945 Pvt
Beard was evacuated to a field hospital classed as a non-battle
casualty. He returned to duty on 23 February 1945.
His military decorations
include the Combat Infantryman Badge awarded for action during Normandy,
France Campaign, 6 June 1944 to 9 July 1944, |