Waterbury-  William E. "Billy" Beardsley, age 64, died July 28th at Waterbury Hospital after a long illness, with his family by his side.

He was born October 28, 1956 in Waterbury, CT to the late Ernest L. and Janet (Houlihan) Beardsley of Southbury, CT.  He graduated from Southbury High School and was a certified master gardener.

He worked many years in construction with "Beardsley Excavating Inc.", which was started by his father and is now run by his brother, Charlie and his wife, Kate.

He lived in the Southford section of Southbury for many years, later moving to "The Purchase" section of Southbury where he tended large gardens. He was a master at propagating and hybridizing plants. He enjoyed reading and writing prose and poetry.  He was an excellent artist. His primary medium was pen and ink.  He had a unique sense of humor and he was a great storyteller. He enjoyed entertaining his family with stories of his life experiences.

He is survived by his five sisters, Shirley Mariano and husband Tony of Middlebury, Linda Winters and husband Ed of Woodbury, Bonnie Galloway and husband James of Tigard, Oregon, Nancy Beardsley and husband John Williams of Nobleboro, Maine , Martha Lee and husband Vincent of Southbury, his brother, Ernest (Charlie) and wife Kate of Southbury, and his aunts, Doris Metcalf of Southbury and Ruth Baummer of Naugatuck, as well as, many cousins, nieces and nephews.

At his request, William's burial will be private. Calling hours will be 1:30pm to 3:30pm Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the Southbury funeral home of Munson-Lovetere.  To leave online condolences, please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.