Garland R. D. Beard

Garland Rolland Diller Beard, 91 of Mount Airy, Maryland passed away Friday February 3, 2023 at Autumn Lake Healthcare at Braddock Heights. He was the beloved husband of the late Betty Jean King Beard.  Born September 12, 1931, in Woodsboro, MD. He was a son of the late Glenn Willam and Marie Dill Sprague Beard.  

Garland is survived by his son William John (Billy) Beard and wife Lynn, Daughter Donna Jean Beard Golliday and husband Wade. Grandchildren Claudia Martin, Eric Golliday, Kelly Leiss, Michael Beard and Step-Grandchildren Heather Russell and Wayne Russell. Great-Grandchildren Dominic Martin, Tyler Hill, Jay Moore Jr., Jacob Moore, Nathen Moore, Hanna Beard, Anthoney Beard and Step Great-Grandchildren Dane Russell, Silas Henkell, Estalla Henkell, Jaxson Russell. And his beloved Grand Kitties KIzzie, Pumpkin and Cootiebear. Sister Betty Beard Snook, Brother Larry (Duff) Beard and wife Linda, Sister-In-Law Betty Spielman Beard, Joan King Golliday and husband Billy, and numerous Nieces, Nephews and cousins.

Garland was born, raised and worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the Army. He served in the Koren War, was a Segreant Chief Medical Aidman in the 1st Cavalry Division, Medical Company 8th Cavalry Regiment stationed in Hokkaido, Japan. 

After returning home, he married Betty Jean King on June 30, 1956. They were married for almost 40 years when she passed away on April 3, 1996. They traveled all over. He worked at various places before he started working at Wakins-Johnson. He was a metal machinist there until he retired in the late 1990’s.  

After his retirement he still keeps busy working on his brother, Glenn's farm, gardening, watching western movies on TV. He loves spending time with his family. Garland enjoyed his breakfast meeting with friends at Golden Corral. He was a member of Grace Rocky Hill Lutheran Church. He always looked forward to the dinners and picnics at the church and Rocky Ridge. 

Garland was an avid fisherman. He didn’t care what kind of fish you were fishing for, or how you were going fishing, he was there. He loved fishing on the boat with his grandson Eric and great grandson Tyler. Or trout fishing with his son Billy and grandsons. He didn’t care if it was fishing in the creek or pond, on a riverbank, on a boat in the lake or the bay, on a pier. He would be ready and waiting there with his fishing pole. He just loved fishing. 

Garland is predeceased in death by Brothers Marshall (Bud) Beard, Ralph Beard and wife Frances, Glenn Allen Beard and wife Jeanne, Sisters Elsie Beard, Dorothy (Dot) Beard Shelley and husband Norman, Ethel Beard Hilderbrand and husband Raymond Jr., Brother-In-Law Larry Snook, Mother and Father-In-Law John and Claudia King, Sister-In-Laws Ida May Grimes and Carolyn Gardner. 

Friends may call on Thursday, February 9, at Molesworth-Williams Funeral Home, 26401 Ridge Road, Damascus from 11:00 a.m. until funeral services begin at 1:00 p.m. Reverend Phillip Ayers will officiate.  Interment will follow in Howard Chapel Cemetery. Long Corner. 

Online condolences may be shared with his family on our website at www.molesworthwilliams.com.

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