The Wellington Leader February 8, 1968

B. W. Beaird, 74, who served one of the longer tenures as a county school superintendent in Texas education, died unexpectedly in Northwest Texas Hospital, Amarillo, at 12:05 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. He had entered the hospital two days earlier for tests.

Mr. Beaird was appointed Collingsworth County School Superintendent in 1941 to fill the unexpired term of Logan Cummings. He remained in the office continuously for 27 years, and for 25 years without an opponent in his races for re-election. He was not a candidate for re-election in 1966, and his term officially expired Jan. 1, 1967. He continued to serve as acting superintendent until June, when he was succeeded by T.E. Lennon.

Mr. Beaird began his teaching career at the age of 17, in Crosby County. His was a one teacher school, where he built fires, swept floors, hauled water, walked three miles to school and drew a salary of $60 per month for the 6-months term. He was attending West Texas State Normal in 1914 when the administration building burned. He was one of those who helped to save books and typewriters from the blaze.

Benjamin Wesley Beaird, whom his friends always knew as Ben, was born Dec. 17, 1893 at Eldorado, Okla. He was married to Miss Myrtle Nix, also a teacher, at Chico, June 7, 1914. She died Nov. 10, 1936. On Dec. 20, 1937, he was married to Mrs. Vera Crawford of Wellington, who preceded him in death June 30, 1960.

In 1918, he and his family went to Lake Valley, Canada, to teach for a 10-year period. Upon returning, they came to Collingsworth County where he was to be associated with the schools for the remainder of his life. In 1966, he returned to Lake Valley, to be honored by the entire community.

Mr. Beaird was a member of First Baptist Church, the county, district and state Teachers Associations, the Masonic Lodge and the Shrine. He was chairman of county drives and of community activities too numerous to mention, giving unstintingly of his time and effort for the community of which he was so much a part. He taught a Sunday School class for many years.

Surviving Mr. Beaird are a daughter, Mrs. Byron Duncan of Wellington; a stepdaughter and stepson, Mrs. Pete Nipper of Dodson and J. I. Crawford of Vernon; a half-brother, Jack Beaird of Rockport; and four grandchildren.