Obituary: Raymond Beard

Raymond Beard (1)Funeral services for Raymond Beard, 89, of Athens, Texas, are scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2015, at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Athens with interment following at Willow Springs Cemetery near Athens.

Mr. Beard passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2015 in Athens.

Raymond Beard was born October 18, 1925 in Athens, Texas, the son of William Samuel Beard and Sarah Avie Bell Beard. He was born and raised in Athens and moved back in 1966 after serving our country in the military. He then began his career as a journeyman/electronics technician and traveled the country with Univac, Sperry Rand and then Curtis-Mathes. He was a Godly man and loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. Raymond was an avid Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers fan. He also enjoyed gardening and the outdoors. He was a loving father and grandfather and will be missed by all he knew and loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Anita F. Beard, son William Allen Beard and three brothers, James Beard, Bonnie Beard and William H. Beard.

He is survived by his daughter Nora Lambright and husband Michael of Whitehouse; one son Jerry Beard and wife Rita of Katy; daughter in law Bettina Beard of Kaufman; eight grandchildren, Sara, Sandy, Matthew, Rebecca, Gregory, Danny, Nichole, Hannah and four great grandchildren, Logan, Tobin, Malachi and Peyton.

Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2015, at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Athens.

In lieu of flowers the family would like donations made in Raymond’s memory to: The Willow Springs Cemetery Association, Attention Butch Boyd, 8756 FM 59, Athens, TX 75751.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

You may light a candle or write condolences to the family at: www.hannigansmith.com.