W. Sherman Beard, age 93, of Hillsboro, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Pocahontas Center in Marlinton.
Born October 29, 1922, at Hillsboro, he was a son of the late Henry W. and Lucy P. McLaughlin Beard.
Sherman was a 1941 graduate of Greenbrier Military School; and a 1948 graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. He was a life-long farmer, and a member of the Oak Grove Presbyterian Church where he was an Elder Emeritus, Deacon and treasurer for more than 30 years.
He was a past director of the Bank of Marlinton and served as president for several years; past member of the Pocahontas County Board of Education; past member of the Board of Visitors for West Virginia University; a member of the Pocahontas County Farm Bureau; and a member of the West Virginia Cattlemen’s Association.
Sherman was an Army Air Corps B-24 pilot who flew 35 missions over Europe during World War II.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Mary Alice Young Beard; and three grandchildren, Sarah Blough, David Blough and Mark Blough.
He is survived by two daughters, Kathryn A. Ryniak, and husband, Dennis, and E. Lynn Sigmon, and husband, Marvin; a son, William S. Beard, Jr., and wife, Barbara; a brother, Robert L. Beard, and wife, Lois, of St. Mary’s; grandchildren, Matthew S. Blough, and wife, Lynn, Sarah Boggs, and husband, Todd, Steven Beard, and wife, Carissa, and Ryne Sigmon; and two great-grandchildren, Madelyn Blough and Dillon Crites.
Funeral service was January 10 at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro with Pastor Andrew Rice officiating. Interment with Military Rites by the Pocahontas County Veterans Honor Corps was in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsboro.
Memorials may be made to Oak Grove Presbyterian Church; or the Pocahontas County Senior Citizens Meal-On-Wheels Program