Fred M. Beard 75 of Abilene died June 24 2008 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday June 28 2008 at North's Memorial Chapel 242 Orange St. with Roy Meyer officiating. Burial will be in Dewey Cemetery with military honors under the direction of North's Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday June 27th from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. at North's Memorial Chapel at 242 Orange Street. Born May 7 1933 Mr. Beard was raised in Paris Texas. He was a veteran of the United States Army where he was a graduate of the Army Sniper program. He married Norma Shew on December 8 1956 in Paris Texas. They lived in Dumas Texas from 1956 to 1957 when they returned to Paris Texas. The family moved to Abilene in 1960 where he drove for the Anderson-Clayton company and the Kiesling and Sons Trucking Company for 10 years. Fred then worked for the Abilene Ag Company until retirement in 2006. He was an avid hunter all of his life and enjoyed the outdoors with his family. He was preceded in death by his parents one daughter one grandson one brother Ben and one sister Mary. Survivors include his wife Norma; two sons Randy Beard of Abilene and Ricky and Kelly Beard of Lawn Texas; a daughter Tacie and Randy Motz of Abilene; a brother Jack and Mary Beard of Angleton Texas; two sisters Ruby Bridges of Cooper Texas and Betty and Jerry Holcomb of Cooper Texas; 6 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Online condolences may be sent to www.northsfuneralhome.com