George Ira Beaver

1942 - 2026

LANCASTER, S.C. - Mr. George Ira Beaver, much loved husband, uncle, and stepfather, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, after declining health and a brief illness.
He was born Aug. 13, 1942, in Lancaster, S.C., a son of the late Roland Ira Beaver and Ruth Eva Deese Beaver.
George credited his clear-sighted parents for instilling in him a firm moral compass and a strong work ethic. Turned down for military service as a young man due to congenital hearing loss, George left Lancaster, found work and education, and made a life in New York, rising in the construction trade over a long career. He married Margaret Claus, to whom he remained faithful, and took care of, until her death 55 years and 9 days later.
George worked hard and played hard. He loved to fish for snook in Florida, to hunt, garden and golf, and owned and trained a Grand National Champion Schnauzer, Hermann. He hid a soft heart under a sometime gruff exterior, but never lost his boyhood mischievousness, his love for children, nor his sense of fun.
George was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Roland Beaver; first wife, Margaret; infant daughter, Diane; and five siblings, including his twin sister, Joyce.
George is survived by his wife, Susan; stepsons, Noah and Matthew; stepdaughter, Erin, with whom he had a special bond; and by Claus and Beaver nieces and nephews, including his closet nephew, Keith Villani, who with his wife Donna, relocated to Lancaster to be closer to him.
There are no services scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorials in George's name may be made to Seth's Giving Tree, 3344 Greystone Dr., Lancaster, SC 29720.
An online guest register is available for condolences on the obituaries page at www.burgessfunerals.com.
Burgess Funeral Home and Crematory of Lancaster is caring for the family of Mr. George Beaver.