William M "Billy" Beard, Jr.

Jackson, MS - William M. Beard, Jr. passed away on September 9, 2023 after a long illness.

His is survived by his daughter, Amanda Beard of Boynton Beach Fl, his son, Billy Beard (Jo Ann) of Griffin, GA, grandchildren Sam Beard, Meredith Beard and Caroline Beard, and his sister Gabrielle Beard (Cass Catlett) of Greensboro, NC.

He was preceeded in death by his father, William M. Beard, Sr, and his mother, Sara Summers Thompson Beard, both of Jackson, MS.

Billy was born in Jackson, MS but he spent the first 11 years of his life in Louisville, KY. He went to elementary school in Lousiville, but skipped many of the days and used his lunch money to ride the bus to downtown and go to the movies. He would watch several movies, then catch the bus back and his mom never knew. His family moved back to Mississippi and he grew up on Kings Hwy where he met many of his lifelong friends. He attended Bailey Jr. High and then Central High - where he played football and other sports, found ways to have fun and was always laughing and clowning around. Billy was very good at starting fights - and leaving the finishing part to his bigger and heavier friends.

After high school, he went to the University of Houston for one year, then came back to Mississippi to go to Mississippi State University. While at Mississippi State, he was a member of Sigma Ch fraternity, editor of the yearbook, and head cheerleader. His time at Mississippi State began a life-long love affair with the MSU football program. He was a long-time season ticket holder and spent many hours listening to Jack Cristal's radio coverage when he couldn't attend in person, and when he could he always carried his cowbell! In later years, he spent many hours watching the games from the comfort of the M-Club.

He loved college football - any level of college football. He was very active in the Jackson Touchdown Club and served in many capacities of leadership there. He met more of his very good friends there.

Billy was always laughing and having fun...and most of the time he was the "life of the party." He could find humor in any situation and was always fun to be around. He seemed to know EVERYBODY. Not matter where he went, he always knew somebody there. From governors and politicians, CEOs, football coaches, other business leaders to construction laborers --- Billy knew and loved being around everybody.

Billy was the founder and president of Beard Construction Services and took great pride in the many buildings the company built.

Billy loved his kids and wanted the best for them.