William Anderson Beard

Bill Beard, 80, of Abilene, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2018.  Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Grace United Methodist Church, 1402 Grape Street. Rev. Ronnie Newton will officiate. Burial will follow in the Cedar Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, May 4th  at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Bill was born April 7, 1938 in Winnsboro, Texas to Haskell Owen Beard and Nell Elizabeth (Young). He grew up in Snyder and graduated from Snyder High School. He served in the National Guard.  Bill married Alice Joy Roman on April 26, 1963 in Snyder.   He worked for Coca-Cola Bottling Plant for 10 years and then for the City of Abilene for the Refuse and Parks Department for 16 years.  Bill was a member of Grace United Methodist Church for 55 years.

Bill was an avid fan of all sports, but especially of football.  He was a big fan of the Abilene High School Eagles, whom he faithfully followed. His family and football were special to him, but his grandkids were the most special part of his life. He was a regular customer of the Dixie Pig.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife on September 24, 2014. 

Bill is survived by his son, Doug Beard and wife Joyce of Abilene; two brothers, Bobby Beard and wife Diane of Snyder, Jerry Beard and wife Frances of Lubbock; five grandchildren, Brittany Michelle Helmick and husband Dakota, Brandon Michael Beard, Bethany Marie Manry and husband Jacob, Brianna Monique Beard and Nathan Ryan Beard; one great-grandson, John Wayne Helmick and one great-granddaughter on the way, Kylie Faith Helmick.

Pallbearers will be Dakota Helmick, Brandon Beard, Nathan Beard, Jacob Manry, Kenneth Ramey and Daryl Miller.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Hendrick Hospice Care and to Dr. Tony Melnyk.

Memorials may be made in Bill’s honor to the American Cancer Society.