HOT SPRINGS — Lifelong Arkansan William King Beard,
74, died in his home surrounded by family on September 9th, 2021. His death, following a sixmonth battle with lung cancer, can never diminish his seventy-four years of vibrant life.
William was born in Albert Lee, Minn., on August 12th, 1947, to Drs. Alice Gamble Beard and Owen Wayne Beard. After graduating from Hall High School, he was educated in the social sciences, with a Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Arkansas, and Masters in Anthropology from the University of Oklahoma. As a cultural anthropologist, he loved the richness of the world’s peoples and cultures. As a professor at the University of Arkansas, he created programs to help international students learn English. In his decades-long career as an educator, William taught students from over 100 countries. For the last few years before retiring, William shared his love of history and social studies, teaching high school for the Little Rock School District.
His abounding curiosity and interests included reading, exploring the world and learning new curry recipes, hunting and fishing, and most of all, spending time with loved ones. William was a shining example to many through his kindness and integrity as a man and father. He was known for his sense of humor and mischief, his honor and loyalty, his warm expressiveness, and his occasionally painful oversharing of his hot sauce collection.
William is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Owen Wayne Beard and Dr. Alice Gamble Beard of Arkansas; and his brother-in-law, Bill Miller of Colorado.
William is survived by his eternal soulmate and beloved wife of 45 years, Hollace Beard-Hunting; his children and their spouses, Monica Beard-Raymond, Hunter Beard, Baylis Beard, Halley Hamon; cherished grandchildren, Hannah-Lynn Munzberg Beard, Marlowe Hamon and Coralie Hamon; sisters, Margaret Miller, Barbara Pierce and her husband Dr. Dwight Pierce; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A service in celebration of William’s life will be held at Hebron United Methodist Church in Carlisle, Ark., on Saturday, November 27th, 2021 at 2 p.m. The service will be COVID-conscious. Please use a mask.
Online remembrances, pictures and stories can be shared through: https://everloved.com/life-of/william-beard/.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of William’s memory may be made to: Arkansas Wildlife Federation UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Humane Society of Garland County Cremation Arrangements Entrusted to Arkansas Cremation. www.ArkansasCremation.com.