Mr. Beard was of the Baptist faith and retired from the U. S. Army. He served during the Vietnam War and received many awards including a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was a member of the VFW Post 6097 and was a Kentucky Colonel.
Survivors include a daughter Kim Spencer of McDonough, GA; his former wife and caregiver Jo Osborne Beard of Louisville, KY and former wife and mother of his children Sandra Rowe Beard of McDonough, GA; two step daughters Angela Murphy (David) of Scottsburg, IN and Carrie Allen (Ron Sidebottom) of Louisville, KY; nine grandchildren Chad, Kelly, Corey, Blake, Adam, Katelyn, Lilly, Levi and William; six great grandchildren; a sister Peggy Nix (Eddie) of Louisville, KY; his best friend Billy Wright of Columbia and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter Debra Pogue and four siblings Rebecca Corbett, Sarah Strickland, Bobby Beard and Carrie Dillingham.
Funeral services will be 2:00pm Monday, January 3, 2022 at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with burial in the Columbia Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by VFW Post 6097. Visitation will be on Monday after 11:00am at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations to be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
The Family request everyone attending wear a mask or face covering.