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

He was born June 9, 1934, in Gallipolis, Ohio, 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; brothers, Charles (Karen) Beard of Gallipolis and Jim (Rita) Beard of St. Petersburg, Florida; ten nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and -nephews; aunts and uncles, Jabez (Agnes) Beard and Irene (Rod) Beard, all of Southside, West Virginia; 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.