John William ("Bill") Beagles, 87 of Ahwatukee, Arizona, died on October 6, 2024. He was born January 10, 1937, in Montpelier, Idaho, the son of the late John and Evva Beagles. He was their only child. Bill graduated from Montpelier High School in 1955. He was an honor student and the recipient of the American Legion Award.
He is survived by his loving wife, Linda. She was Bill's source of inspiration, his best friend, constant companion and the love of his life. They met at University Presbyterian Church Calvin Club, at the University of Washington. It was love at first sight and the rest is history. They were married in Ellensburg, Washington on December 16, 1961.
Having grown up in southern Idaho, as a youth Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing and the outdoors. He was also an avid skier. During this time, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was privileged to attend the Valley Forge Jamboree in 1950. During his high school years Bill had part-time jobs at the local JCPenney store and worked summers on the Union Pacific Railroad signal gang. He earned a BA degree from the University of Washington in Political Science and Far East Studies; a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as a Master's degree in International Economics and Management from the University of Utah, graduating with honors. At Utah he served as president of his Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
He was a pilot in the United States Navy 1957-60; after which he held positions in systems engineering and marketing with IBM. In 1967 he was co-founder and president of Computech Corporation, a Seattle based software and data processing company which was ultimately acquired by a major bank holding company in 1971. He then joined Boeing as Assistant Division Manager of the Consulting Division. Bill was promoted to vice president of the Boeing Company in 1982. Subsequently he was appointed president and CEO of Boeing Japan in 1993. During this time, he was elected president and later became chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan. He focused the chamber's interests primarily on bi-lateral trade and corporate alliances between U.S. and Japanese companies. He also served as president of the American Aerospace Industry in Japan as well as on the boards of Tokyo American Club, Temple University Japan and the Boy Scouts of America Far East Council. Bill and Linda were residents in Japan for 12 years before Bill retired from Boeing in 1999.
He served as a deacon and a trustee of his church in Olympia and also in Tokyo where both he and Linda taught Sunday School for youth and adults. Bill and Linda enjoyed international travel throughout much of the world, but most recently divided a good share of their time between Phoenix and Maui. Bill is also survived by his son, Steve Beagles (Yuri Beagles) and grandchildren Kylie and John of Bonney Lake, Washington; by his daughter, Lora Van Sickle and grandchildren Kyle and Callie of Phoenix; by his daughter, Julia Miller and grandchildren Hogan and Kinsey of Phoenix; and by his daughter Jill Beagles Chappelle (Kent Chappelle) and grandchildren James and Adam of Seattle. "Sing No Sad Songs for Me, as I had a life well lived. Rather-Hug those you love even tighter, live each day more fully than the one before, and always, always realize and be thankful for the Blessings of God, knowing that his love for you is unfailing!" (author unknown) Final arrangements will be made to have his ashes placed in the columbarium at Masonic Memorial Park in Tumwater, Washington.