William Edward Beard III

William Edward Beard III, 77, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the VA hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

He was born on October 25, 1948, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to William Edward Beard Jr. and Dorothy Dunn Forbes Beard. He grew up in Clarendon, AR, where many of his close friends and family still reside.

Bill was united in marriage to Deborah Sue Akin on June 29, 2006, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Bill proudly served in the United States military during the Vietnam Era. He and his wife, Debbie, owned and operated Akin and Beard Tax Service for more than 40 years. Bill was known for fondness of his dogs, playing music, and above all, love for his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Edward Beard Jr. and Dorothy Dunn Forbes Beard.

Bill is survived by his sons, William Christopher Beard of San Antonio, Texas, and Blair Joseph Beard (Amy) of Austin, Texas; his stepson, Nathan Akin of New York City, New York; his granddaughter, Brooklyn Christine Beard of Austin, Texas; his grandsons, Jackson William Beard of Austin, Texas, Blane Christopher Beard of San Antonio, Texas, and Jack Henry Beard of San Antonio, Texas; his sister,

Amalia Beard Mangum (Bill) of Southern Pines, North Carolina; his niece, Kate McDonald of Southern Pines, North Carolina; and his nephew, Patrick Mangum of Redmond, Washington