Ray Clifton, "Cliff", age 73, passed away July 25, 1994. He was born August 21, 1920 in El Reno, Ok. to Alton C. and Linnie Beard. He and 8 other brothers and sisters lived with his parents who came to Westville, Ok. in a covered wagon during the Oklahoma Land Run and settled there in a log cabin, where he than graduated the 8th grade. He married Nellie Lou Criswell August 16, 1946 and had lived at the same residence since 1952, where he and his bride first settled. Mr. Beard retired from Glen's Hik'ry Pit Bar-B-Que after 30 years, where he was manager. Before being employed at Glens, he worked for B.C. Goode Restaurant on N.W. 39th Expressway. Mr. Beard entered the United States Navy July 30, 1942 at the age of 17. He served for 3 years, 2 months and 23 days before being discharged October 22, 1945. He held ranks of AS, S2c, SC3c, SC2c and SCic(T). He served in Civilian Conservation Corps from April 14, 1938 to March 31, 1940 as a laborer and later a Pastry Cook in Spavinaw, Ok. before enlisting in the Navy. Mr. Beard was also a 32nd degree Mason. He was preceded in death by his wife Nellie and parents, Alton and Linnie Beard. Survivors include daughter, Deanna Rae Austin Feaster of OKC, Ok. and husband David; 1 grandson; 1 granddaughter; 1 great granddaughter; brothers, Leo Beard of Westville, Ok., Jim Beard and wife, Georgia of El Reno, Ok.; sisters, Imogene Kelly of El Reno, Ok., Eva Mae Maggard and husband, Ed of Westville, Ok., Faye Tuttle of Westville, Ok., Artie Long and husband, Bill of Westfork, Ar., Gladys Johnson and husband, Earl of Westville, Ok. and Dora Lagally and husband, Willie of Houston, Tx.; his wife's sisters, Polly Wilson and husband, Gene of Hanford, Ca. and Barbara Doyle and husband, Richard of The Village, Ok.; also many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Services will be Friday, July 29, 1994, 2:00 p.m. at Putnam City Church of Christ with interment at Yukon Cemetery.
courtesy of The Oklahoman July 29, 1994