Willie Allen Beard Memorial & Celebration
A Memorialization
is a Celebration
Official Statement 07/31/2021
Memorial and Celebration held in honor of Willie Allen “June Bug” Beard on July 23, 2021, Uncle of founders, J. Dwayne and Lalita L. Garnett.
Augusta-Richmond County, GA- Boyd, Dunn, Beard Family Celebrates A Life Transition, though we feel the weight of the physical absence, no one is ever lost. Energy can never be destroyed nor can a spirit truly die. The beauty of life transitions is affording us the ability to carry that person with us at all times.
Let us be reminded to tell the stories, hold tight to the wisdom, and assure the story of our ancestors are always told. We are the roots, trunks, and branches of our lifeline and family tree. Though leaves change with the season, we must be unwavering in who we are.
June Bug: His Story
Willie Allen “June Bug” Beard was born on the 10th of May in the year of 1939 to the Late Allen and Cora Mae Boyd Beard. He received partial education through the Augusta-Richmond County Board of Education System, sacrificing his education to become a skilled brick mason as a means to support his mother and younger siblings. He perfected his craft under the tutelage of his Maternal Uncle, RJ “Nump” Boyd, who gave him the nickname, “Water Boy.” In November of 1959, he married Minnie Lee Owens, together, they have one child, Willie Beard.
June Bug continued to live in the Augusta-Richmond County area, working as a brick mason until his retirement. Just like his love for raw onions, tomatoes, and hot sauce, June Bug loved to laugh, party, play cards, and have him a “cold one.” He was the family’s “go-to man” for cutting any vegetable, especially Collard Greens. His congenial nature and infectious laugh would light up any room or community he visited. As he departed any gathering, it was not uncommon for him to sing, “good night, sweetheart, well, it’s time to go.”
On July 23, 2021, June Bug exited as just as his favorite song suggested, he knew that it was time to go. After ensuring that his younger sister and other family members would get some rest, June Bug departed early in the morning after his second battle with cancer, first, prostrate, and secondly, colon. He left to join his father, mother, older sister, Dorothy Rose, and younger brother, Thomas Anthony Beard. He leaves behind his wife, Minnie Beard; son, Willie (Linda) Beard; two grandchildren, Rico Beard, Latonya Clarkson, five great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brothers, Robert Willie (Christine) Beard, James Richard Beard; sisters, Catherine Louise (Leonard) Kingsberry- Harrell, Lois Beard Garnett, and Luerether Boyd.
In tune with the lyrics of the song, now we sing the remaining verse “I hate to leave you, but I really must say, Goodnight…” Willie Allen “June Bug” Beard.
Acknowledgments
It would be very remiss of us to not acknowledge those organizations that assisted heavily in the positive transition of our beloved Willie Allen “June Bug” Beard.
Elbert P. Peabody Apartments
1425 Walton Way,
Augusta, GA 30901
For several years, June Bug lived amongst an amazing community of friends that truly become family. We are grateful for the support and remarkable service provided by the Peabody Apartment’s team.
Toaste of Augusta
1135 Broad Street
Augusta, GA 30901
Final preparations are challenging enough without adding to them untraditional memorial methods. When we shared our ideas and plans with the Owner and Executive Director, Dominic Simons, he executed every one of Dorothy’s wishes to the “T”, plus, more. The setting was remarkable, along with top-notch staff, and superb presentation and taste of food. Every family member left feeling incredible and was impressed with the high level of professionalism and perfect execution of June Bug’s vision. Toaste of Augusta, we highly recommend and encourage all to support.
Williams Funeral Home, Inc.
1765 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Augusta, GA 30901
Having a lasting relationship with our family, Williams Funeral Home, once again provided the level of professionalism that is synonymous with their name -EXCELLENT.
J. Dwayne Garnett, BSRT, MHA, QP
Chief Executive Officer
Love Is A Parable
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