William G. �Butch� Beard, Jr., age 70, of Fernandina Beach passed away on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at his residence.

Butch was born in Ruston, Louisiana to the late William Grady and Eleanor Caswell Beard. His family moved to Beech Island, SC and Butch grew up playing football, working his parent�s farm and dating his high school sweetheart, Martha.

Butch received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1969. After graduating he left to serve his country in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic or meritorious service in a combat zone. Butch proudly completed Airborne and Ranger training and served in the 18th Airborne Corp. Butch attained the rank of Captain and left the army in 1974.

After the army, Butch and Martha moved to Greenwood, SC and started the family that they had always wanted. Eventually moving to Fort Mill, SC they raised their three children in a wonderful small town. It was here that Butch really found his love of business and began his life as a successful entrepreneur.

Butch and Martha moved to Amelia Island in 1999. They loved the island life and Butch decided to retire for the first time. It didn�t quite take but finally, he retired for the third time and spent his days doing his 5 favorite things: sailing, fishing, shag dancing, treasuring his grandchildren and loving Martha.

Butch was an amazing husband, proud father and faithful friend. He loved his family beyond measure and they all knew it.

He leaves behind his wife, Martha Beard of Amelia Island, Florida; his children Leslie (Brian) Bogstad of Charleston, South Carolina, Shelley (Greg) Cagle of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Michael Beard of Tampa, Florida; sisters Cindy (Dave) Bullard of Seneca, South Carolina, Jennifer (Tommy) Crain of Cross Anchor, South Carolina; and grandchildren Will Bogstad, Isabelle Bogstad, Eli Bogstad, Lawton Cagle and Jax Cagle.

Services will be at 1:00 on Saturday, September 8, 2018 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Home.

Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Kraft Athletic Club, 961023 Buccaneer Trail, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034.

The family asks donations be made, in Butch�s memory, to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256.