- Date Of Death: June 16, 2019
- State: Idaho
William Louis ‘Bill’ Beattie died at his home on Saturday, June 15, 2019.
Bill was born on June 7, 1933 in Salmon, ID to Lydia Maryann nee Bancroft and James Kenneth ‘Bud’ Beattie. He grew up in a multi-generational household and was especially close to his Grandmother, Lillian Fern ‘Ruby’ Bancroft nee Marshall, and his cousin Carole Gasper nee Edwards. Carole, being a year older than Bill, was much like an older sister and remained so throughout her life.
Bill attended 1st grade in Salmon. When the family moved to Boise in 1940 he attended many elementary schools including Garfield, Longfellow, and Whitney. He went on to North Junior High and then Boise High, where he graduated in 1952. During his sophomore year he joined the US Naval Reserve and was eventually drafted.
Bill spent two years aboard the USS Wiseman DE-667 in the midst of the Korean Conflict.
On March 3, 1956 he married his love Billie Jean ‘BJ’ Hargrave. Together they had three children, Launi Jean, Danis Louise, and Kenneth William. In 1975 they adopted their first grandchild, Ami Lynette, as Launi was unable to care for her. Shortly after their marriage Bill started working for Boise Cascade. During his lunch hour Billie would often pack up the kids, and lunch, and meet Bill at Ann Morrison Park. He spent his entire career at Boise Cascade, ultimately retiring as Operations Manager in 1991. He was also keenly interested in sports, especially BSU Football and Basketball which he supported as an early member of the Bronco Athletic Association, or BAA, and he dearly loved baseball, being partial to the Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners. One of the great joys of his life was attending nearly every game of any sport his children and grandchildren participated in. He was also a proud member of the BPOE Elks organization since 1962.
He is survived by his wife Billie; their children and children’s spouses, Danis and Dan Martin, Ken and Marian Beattie, and Ami and Lars Johnson; their grandchildren and grandchildren’s families, Sasha M and TJ Olvera and children, Dylan William Martin, Devin James and Kelsey Martin and children, Sara Jean and Eric Olsen, Charlene Marie Beattie, Juliana Celeste and Greg Bentler and daughter, and Liam Anders Johnson;plus numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Janet, and daughter Launi Jean Waller.
We, his family, will always remember his joyful morning whistling and bird calls, his wonderful sense of humor, his love of hunting, fishing, and being in the mountains with his family, and his love of classic country music. Dad, you were so loved and you’ll be sorely missed.
