George M. Beard

George M. Beard of Winters, retired school administrator, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2013 at Ballinger Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. He was 91.

George was born August 25, 1921 in Ballinger, Texas, the son of the late William Oscar and Annie Irene (Williams) Beard. He grew up on a farm five miles northeast of Ballinger and attended Old Runnels Elementary School until 1934. He graduated from Ballinger High School in 1939 where he was active in various school activities.

George enlisted in the US Army in 1939 and served his country honorably until 1945. He was a life member of the 36th Division Association, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans Associations.

Ruthie Faye Patton, also a Ballinger High School graduate, and George were married in 1941 in Ballinger. She preceded him in death in 1987.

George received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Public School Administration from Hardin-Simmons University in 1948. He received his Master of Education Degree in 1952. He was a public school administrator at several locations in Texas, including Mattson, Munday, and Eula. In 1961 he became principal of Winters Elementary and Junior High School and served in that capacity for 19 years. In 1980 he became elementary principal at Ballinger. He retired in 1985.

George had been a devoted member of Lions Clubs International since 1961, serving as an officer in numerous local and district positions and taking an active role in many Lions Club projects. He was an avid traveler and golfer and had been a member of Avenue B Church of Christ in Ballinger.

He is survived by his wife of almost 25 years, Eris of Winters; three daughters, Sandra Ford of Kerrville, Elaine Gray of Potosi, and Cherilyn Ziemer of Houston; two sons, Jeff Glenn and James Glenn of Moraine, Ohio; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are special friends, Jimmy John Ripley and Elma Bernal.

Visitation for family and friends will be Wednesday, January 23 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. A graveside service with military honors will be held Thursday, January 24 at 2:00 p.m. at Ballinger Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Texas Lions Camp for Crippled Children, P. O. Box 290247, Kerrville, Texas 78029.