SGT William J. Beardsley, 25, of Coons Bay, MN was assigned to the 260th Quartermaster Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Troop Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. He died February 26, 2007, in Diwaniyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an IED detonated near his vehicle.

SGT Beardsley served three years in the Air Force ROTC program as a member of the color guard during high school. He joined the U.S. Army shortly after graduation and served for three years, including a tour of duty in Korea. He left briefly to work as a landscape contractor with his father but, in 2005, he re-enlisted with the idea of making it his career.

SGT Beardsley had a passion for playing baseball, softball, golf, hunting and watching sports. His greatest passion, next to his wife and kids, was motorcycling, of which he owned a Harley and a Suzuki GSXR.

BJ as they called him, was quiet, respectful and had a great smile. He had a Southern politeness about him but was quick-witted and loved the military and his country.

SGT Beardsley was survived by his wife, Stacy and his, Alexis and Chance.