A loving husband, father, son, brother, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend to many, William Wyatt Beard of Fairhope, Alabama, died on Friday, April 10, 2026.

He was born on January, 12, 1968 in Decatur, Georgia, to the late Nancy Jean Hargett and William Lee Beard.

Wyatt graduated from The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1986, where he excelled in academics and basketball. He attended the University of Alabama for four years, then took a “victory lap” at Mississippi State, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1993. Wyatt remained a diehard Bama fan throughout his life, Roll Tide!!! Yet, with his treasured cowbell always adorning his bureau, there was no question of his love for Mississippi State and his Mississippi roots as well.

After graduation, Wyatt moved back to Georgia, and worked as a foreman building homes throughout Atlanta. In 1996, Wyatt met the love of his life, Allison Joy Lamar of Baton Rouge, LA. They married on February 7, 1998, and in October 1999 they welcomed their first child, Will. In 2000, Wyatt moved his family to Fairhope, a blessing that brought them to a community where he was the best husband and family man, and where his daughters, Amalie and Catherine, were born.

Wyatt worked in real estate and various business ventures. After the crash of 2008, he focused primarily on being a self-appointed stock broker and was successful.

Wyatt was kind, handsome (“Hunky,” per Allison), hysterically funny, loving, and deeply devoted to his family and friends. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, boater, sports spectator, a brainiac (who should have been on Jeopardy!), jokester, hiker, and skier. He had a remarkable ability to easily pick up almost any sport and make it look effortless, such as golfing and bowling to name a few.

Wyatt was also a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with and overcoming thyroid cancer in 2008, a testament to his strength and resilience.

Wyatt was always present and rarely missed a moment. He was there for his family and loved ones always, especially for quality time with Amalie or Catherine, helping with an apartment or dorm move or anything else they needed. He was his family’s biggest supporter and had a special way of making even the smallest achievements feel like milestones.

Wyatt loved the great outdoors and especially the Colorado mountains, so much so, that after a family trip in 2002, Wyatt committed to taking his family to Crested Butte, Colorado for most summers and winters. He also really loved being in the woods with his son, brother, dad and friends.  He loved to travel with Allison and family, and thankfully they did quite a bit of that together.  Wyatt loved the Lord with all his heart and was in fellowship, learning and leaning into God’s word regularly.

Wyatt is survived by his wife, Allison Joy Lamar Beard; three children, William Charles Beard (Fairhope, AL), Amalie Grace Beard (London, England), and Catherine Adelle Beard (Birmingham, AL); brother, Richard Alan Beard (Muscle Shoals, AL); in-laws, Carole and Charles Lamar (Baton Rouge, LA); sister-in-law and her husband, Courtney Lamar and Nicholas Leader (Oakland, CA); brother-in-law, Madison Lamar (Baton Rouge, LA); nieces, Maren Leader, Dillon Leader, and Brynn Leader (Oakland, CA); aunts and uncles, Carolyn and Jack Beard (Birmingham, AL), Margaret and Jimmy Moore (Exmore, VA), and Martha Lynn Sexton (Dyersburg, TN); as well as numerous other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nancy Jean Hargett (Dyersburg, TN) and William Lee Beard (Hollandale, MS); mother-in-law, Alice Saloom Lamar (Baton Rouge, LA); sister-in-law, Summer Burpee Beard (Muscle Shoals, AL); grandparents, Margaret Mullikin and Lynn Hargett (Dyersburg, TN), Rowena and Walter Lee Beard (Hollandale, MS); and uncle, Wallace Sexton (Dyersburg, TN).

A funeral service was held on April 14, 2026, at Fairhope United Methodist Church in Fairhope, Alabama. It was heartbreaking, yet beautiful! The family wants to thank Rev. Michael Precht, Dr. Ann Pearson, his “best good friends” who spoke at the service – Rick Phyfer, Bo Dunlap, Bill Morrison, and Patt Branyon, as well as everyone who has shown and continues to show love and support during this time of shock and grief.

In lieu of flowers please consider giving to Catch A Dream Foundation, https://www.catchadream.org, Fairhope United Methodist Church, https://www.fairhopeumc.org/, or another charity close to your heart in Wyatt’s memory.

We never imagined having to say goodbye this soon, but how lucky we are to have loved someone so deeply and to have been loved so well in return.

Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.