William C. Beard, 78, of Gallipolis, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, at Holzer Assisted Living.

He was born June 9, 1934, in Gallipolis, Ohio, a son of the late Gilbert and Irene Rothgeb Beard. He married Ursula Spaeth Beard and she preceded him in death on March 10, 2006.

William was a 1952 graduate of Gallia Academy High School and was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in 1960 and a Ph.D. in 1965. He was a research chemist and worked at Union Carbide in New York. He retired from Cleveland State University where he was a professor in the Department of Geology and Mineralogy. William was a member of First Baptist Church.

Surviving him are his sisters, Nancy (Asa) Bailey of Mansfield, Ohio, and Alice Giles of Gallipolis, Ohio; brothers, Charles (Karen) Beard of Gallipolis, Ohio, and Jim (Rita) Beard of St. Petersburg, Fla.; ten nieces and nephews; several great nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles, Jabez (Agnes) Beard and Irene (Rod) Beard, all of Southside, W.Va.; and several cousins.

In addition to his parents and wife, Ursula Beard, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Joe Giles.

Graveside services will be held at the convenience of the family at Ohio Valley Memory Gardens.

Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.