William Benjamin Beaird June 11, 1942 - November 17, 2025 passed away at Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN on November 17, 2025. Ben was born in Ripley, TN, son to the late Samuel Richard Beaird and Elizabeth Miller Beaird. He was the second of the “four fine boys”, all of whom were raised in Ripley, Tennessee.

Ben, known to friends and family as Benjie, completed elementary and high school in Ripley. He excelled in academics and extracurricular activities, twice winning the state championship in Latin, playing football and basketball, and setting a state track record. He also enjoyed playing the piano, a hobby that continued well into his later years. Following in his elder brother’s footsteps, he attended Vanderbilt University and majored in electrical engineering. At Vanderbilt, he ran track, served on the Honor Council, and elected president of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He met his one and only love during his junior year, his wife of 60 years, Judith Presley May. They married in Nashville and moved to Lafayette, Indiana where Ben completed his master’s degree from the Krannert School of Business at Purdue University.

Judy and Ben moved to Lacrosse, Wisconsin to begin Ben’s engineering career with Trane Company. While there, they welcomed their two children, Bethany and Andy. After several moves, Ben finished his engineering career in Clinton, Mississippi where he worked for AT&T for 23 years. In Clinton, he was an elder at Christ Community Church and a lay leader and board member for Recovery International, a nonprofit self help organization for mental health. Ben’s last years were spent living in Memphis and finally in Nashville to be close to his children and grandchildren.

Ben’s life was defined by service to his church and community. Ben, who lived with a chronic mood disorder, worked tirelessly to advocate for those who suffered from mental illness. For nearly 30 years he volunteered with Recovery International. Having founded the Recovery International chapter in Jackson, Mississippi, Ben led support groups and served on the Board of Directors. He served on numerous boards of state and national mental health organizations, while personally mentoring men and women from all walks of life. His last ministry involved the residents of Serenity Towers, a subsidized senior living facility in Memphis where he advocated for improved living conditions while leading weekly bible studies. Ben’s life long loves included his family, church, running, music, Judy’s food, and Vanderbilt football. In the last years of Ben’s life, his greatest joy came from his five grandchildren who all referred to him as “Big Ben”. Hearing of grandchildren’s activities, receiving their bedside visits and phone calls always brought big smiles to his face. His sacrifices for family, the church, and his community will always be his greatest gift.

Ben is survived by his wife, Judith May Beaird, his two children Bethany Watts (Stephen), Edwin Andrew Benjamin Beaird (Christy), his grandchildren, (Harrison and Presley Spiller; Laura Frances, Benjamin, and Virginia Beaird), and his three brothers Samuel Beaird, Daniel Beaird (Anna) and Thomas Beaird (Carol). A memorial service will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Nashville on January 3, 2026 at 11am. A burial service for his ashes will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Ripley later next year. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to ALIVE Hospice (development@alive.org) or Room In the Inn (roomintheinn.org)