European theatre of World War II
Beard was a pilot in the United States Army Air Forces in the European theatre of World War II. After completing law school, he practiced law for two years at Lane and McGinnis in Los Angeles, California. He then served at the district attorney's office in Imperial County, California from 1952–1955. He served in the California State Senate from 1957–1961. He was the Chairman, California Industrial Accident Commission 1960–1965. He was a judge for the El Cajon Municipal Court 1980 until he retired about 1990.