Judge Aubrey Webb Biard, 81, passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024 at the University of Texas Southwestern Hospital in Dallas. He was born October 4, 1942 to Mr. and Mrs. John W.T. Biard, Jr. in Paris. In 1960 he graduated from Paris High School and later from Paris Junior College in 1962, University of North Texas in 1964 and the University of Texas School of Law in 1968. He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1970 on the USS Coral Sea aircraft carrier and was a Vietnam decorated combat veteran.
Biard married Julia Ferguson on December 12, 1974 and they had three daughters and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Julia and daughter Laurie Denton and is survived by his daughter Evie Taber and husband Jeff of Paris and Kelly Benavidez and husband Augustine of Hideaway Lake. Judge Biard was also preceded in death by his parents John Willie and Margie Biard, sister Becky Biard of Austin and brother John W.T. Biard III of Paris. He is survived by three nephews in Paris, Judge Will Biard, Don Biard and Scott Biard.
After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, he joined the local law firm of Cornett, Echols & Biard as a new partner in November of 1970. He practiced primarily as a criminal defense attorney until 1992 when Governor Ann Richards appointed him, at the age of 50, to succeed the late Judge Henry Braswell of the 6th Judicial State Court, who had held that position for many years. After serving four years in that office, Biard became a state visiting judge, serving counties in north and east Texas.
A biographical outline, as Biard was being considered for the Judge appointment in 1992, stated that he had served as counsel in federal lawsuits that resulted in single member districts for the City of Paris and Paris Independent School District. At that time he had been involved in more than 100 jury trials in both state and federal courts in Texas and Oklahoma and had tried three capital murder jury trials.
In June 1988, Biard was named a Fellow of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Education Foundation at ceremonies in Ft. Worth. A picture was published in the Paris News of that event with Biard and his wife shaking hands with Richard “Racehorse” Haynes who was inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame that evening. Judge Biard was inducted as a member of the Paris Junior College Academic Hall of Honor in 1997 and was also named to the Boys and Girls Club of Paris Wall of Honor in June 1998.
Biard served as a director and received the President’s Award of Merit from the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association; he was Chairperson of the District 1-A Attorney Grievance Committee; member of the Sunset Advisory Committee to the State Legislature; and was President of the Lamar County Bar Association. He was Chairperson of the Lamar County Democrat Party from 1972 to 1978 and served as a delegate to the Democratic State Convention.
Active in many community organizations, he was a Director of the Paris Boys and Girls Club; coached boys baseball, football, basketball and girls softball for over 20 years; President of the Association of Retarded Citizens; Vice-Chairman of Child Welfare Board; Member of CHANCE; Director of Lamar
County Chamber of Commerce; and President American Cancer Society. He was also active in the United Fund; Optimist Club; American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
On Saturday, November 9, 1996 at Love Civic Center an event honoring Sixth District Court Judge Webb Biard could be recognized as a fitting tribute to Webb’s life. The Family Haven Crisis and Resource Center was honoring Judge Biard on his retirement from the court office. “Judge Biard is a long-time friend of Family Haven and a concerned judge who has always given our clients a fair hearing in his court,” Rusty Parker, Family Haven board member, said. A proclamation from the City of Paris Mayor was presented at the event declaring November 9, 1996 as “WEBB BIARD APPRECIATION DAY” in Paris, Texas and that all citizens of Paris join in honoring this citizen for his outstanding service to his country, state and city.
The family is planning a “Friends Gathering” celebration of life that will be announced in the near future. Friends wishing to send a memorial, the family requests Boys and Girls Club of Paris, 1530 First Street NE, Paris, Texas 75460.
Webb will be missed by his thousands of friends, family and colleagues, but his everyday good attitude and friendship will live forever.
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
