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Bill Beard was born February 1, 1945 and grew up on Dorothy Avenue in South Gate, with his brother, Richard (S-62) and family, just a few houses on the other side of Southern from where Dick Jones (S-62) lived. Bill attended Bryson Avenue Elementary School and South Gate Junior and Senior High Schools. Although Bill didn't participate in sports, he was a cheerleader for our Senior Fall season with Sue King Ross (S'62) as head cheerleader. With his friendly personality and easy-going nature, Bill was well liked and a genuine nice guy.
After high school Bill attended CSLB where he, long-time friend Dick Jones, and Mike Burke (S-62) were in the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity along with some other SGHS classmates. He completed the majority of his major at CSLB but transferred to CSLA to finish up taking some classes offered there. His Triumph sports car was his pride and joy, he liked to dance, and loved living at the beach! For a time after college, Bill, Dick, and Mike were roommates in an apartment in Belmont Shores and Bill was in Dick's wedding, He also had a special friendship with Lorrie O'Brien Tushar (S'62) through the years and they attended our 10 Year Reunion.
Bill worked in accounting for several car dealerships and continued to make his home in the Long Beach area. He was a smoker and eventually that caught up with him. He had developed lung cancer, In the last year or so he was being treated for the cancer. Sadly, he was not in communication with his family or any of our classmates and we were not able to know when he passed. He will be missed. Rest in peace, dear classmate.
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Charles Klumpp
Bill was a friend and a beautiful human being. He was always positive and smiling. One of my regrets is that we didn't stay in touch with each other as we raised our families and followed our career paths. I can still see his smiling face. The Lord called you Bill and I know you will be at peace in his light. My profound condolences to Bill's family.
Good-by my dear friend,
Chuck
Barbara Micel (Mayotte)
God Bless you - Rest in Peace.
Dick Jones
Bill was a good frriend in high school and even better friend in college. We roomed together for a while and shared some really fun times. Sadly, we lost contact the last few years and and had not comunicated. He was often in my thoughts, however. May God grant you the peace you deserve, my friend.
Judy Hanson (Dillard)
Bill was always friendly with a beautiful smile and a nice "Hello". He will be missed but is at Peace with his maker. May his family and friends find condolence knowing this.
Sue King (Ross)
Heartbeaking to lose Bill also. I remember cheerleading with Bill. He had a good sense of humor and was fun to work with. I enjoyed his company. He went to Long Beach State and went to a few fraternity parties that I was at. I think he left college and after that did not see him much till the reunion he came with Lorie O'Brian. God be with him and Richard. May all the South Gate guys have a reunion in heaven.
Cecile Lucki (Lincoln)
We cheered them on. Now Rest In Peace.
Bonnie Benson (Concialdi)
So sad that we have lost contact with Bill through the years! I remember Bill from grammar school up to high school. I didn't know him well but I remember he was one of the nicest guys...kind of quiet but always friendly and smiling and he was Richard's brother. Although he and Richard were very different, they both were two of the nicest guys at South Gate! So very sad to see another classmate gone.