William “Beau” Meredith was the Libertarian candidate to represent District 49, which includes Asheville and northern Buncombe County, in the North Carolina State Senate. On July 28, he lost his life in an automobile accident in Colorado. He was 49.

The Libertarian Party of North Carolina is joined in sorrow at Beau’s passing and offers its respects to his family. To honor him, we share this reminiscence from his longtime friend and fellow party member Bernard Baruch Carman.

William Beau Meredith

June 17, 1969 – July 28, 2018

William, or “Beau” as he was commonly called by his friends, was in a horrible automobile wreck on July 28 that claimed his life at the young age of 49.

News of this tragedy came as a shock to all his friends, and of course the brunt was felt by his mother, Linda, who received the phone call that morning from the authorities. His family held a private reception in Charlotte, and a memorial included the spreading of Beau’s ashes here in the WNC mountains that he loved so much—the place he resided and called “home” for the majority of his adult life.

Because Beau was outspoken in his political activism, many who knew him as a mere acquaintance might be tempted to place some typical label on him. However, those who were close friends with him know that he didn’t necessarily fit the labels created among the social norms.

Beau approached addressing various issues among social debates in a reasonable and practical way, rather than pushing any agenda based solely upon fanciful utopian ideals. In doing so he persistently and effectively challenged society’s collectivist status quo.

Perhaps most notably, Beau strove to live his life according to his beliefs and philosophy. Three merits that describe Beau are honesty, courage, and loyalty.

Beau was always straightforward about his viewpoints, leaving no confusion about where he stood. He exemplified courageousness, not only in his persistence in running for office within a hostile political environment, but also in his readiness to travel and help hurricane victims in need when the opportunity arose—all while he was financially poor, freely giving his time and energy. His loyalty shined in several situations when he came to the immediate rescue of friends who were being bullied or even physically attacked.

At this point perhaps most paramount, Beau’s tragic and untimely death serves as a reminder to us all that life is truly a blessing, and that we should strive to live each day in a way that brings honor to the memory of us should it be our last. Beau would certainly agree.

I am so thankful that over the last couple of years Beau was able to spend more time enjoying one of his greatest passions—mining. When I recently saw him I noticed that he seemed happier than he had been in a while, even though he was still perpetually struggling financially. It seems he had reached a place where he wasn’t as overly concerned about the future of this failing society, focusing more upon enjoying the daily adventure of life. Perhaps more of us would likewise enjoy increased happiness if we heeded this example.

Beau is certainly greatly missed by many. Although he would disagree, it is my belief that he is merely resting in peace and one day I will again see him in a world very different from the present, along with other lost loved ones.

In the meantime and in sorrow for this tragic and untimely loss, I will remember Beau as I have described here, along with all the fun, crazy, and dangerous times we had together.

As a mutual friend, Dave Frary, said, “Beau died in the same manner as he lived his life — wild and free.” Countless individuals throughout the entire history of humankind only wish they could sincerely say likewise.

😎

—Bernard Baruch Carman

Lyndon John Smith will appear on the November 6 ballot in District 49 as the LPNC’s designated candidate to unseat incumbent Democratic Senator Terry Van Duyn.