Beard, William Edward Jr. 1915 - 2015

BEARD, BAKER, WOODARD, EICHTEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/13/2015 at 10:55:57

William (Bill) E. Beard, Jr., died Friday, November 6, 2015 at his home in Decorah at the age of 100.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 13, 2015 at Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah, IA with Pastor Laura Arnold officiating. Burial will be in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah.

Visitation begins on Friday at 10:00 a.m., one hour before the service, at the church.

William (Bill) Edward Beard, Jr. was born July 22, 1915 in Decorah, Iowa to William E. Beard, Sr. and Grace E. (Baker) Beard. Bill attended the Blount School through eighth grade, and graduated from Decorah Public High School in the class of 1935. After graduating from high school Bill attended Agriculture School at Iowa State University.

Bill met his wife, Betty Jean Woodard, through the young adults group at the Decorah Congregational Church. They were married on September 1, 1956 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and had daughter Grace Anne in 1963.

Bill spent all of his working years farming, both in partnership with his father and brothers (Frank and Jim), and on his own farm adjoining the family homestead. Together the Beard family earned a reputation for innovation and conservation winning the Iowa Sweepstakes Award for Conservation and Farming in 1956. Upon retirement Bill, with the help of his brother Frank and his nephew Jay Beard, built a home on the Beard family farm where he lived until his passing.

Bill was a lifelong member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah, where he served as trustee, deacon, and auditor. He also completed church repairs, assisted with church dinners, ushered, and many other activities in the service of others. Bill enjoyed being and working outdoors, loved feeding birds, and especially enjoyed Beard family picnics along the river and creeks near Decorah.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Grace (Len) Eichten of Plymouth, MN; one granddaughter, Caitlin Eichten of Plymouth, MN; two step-grandsons, Christopher Eichten of Hopkins, MN and Jonathan (Alexandra) Eichten and their daughter Sophia of Hopkins, MN; and nine nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Betty on November 27, 1983; his sister Barbara; his brother Franklin and his wife Laura; and his brother James and his wife Killy.

Memorials may be directed to the Congregational United Church of Christ, 209 West Broadway, P.O. Box 470, Decorah, IA 52101.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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