William Everett “Bill” Beals Sr., “The Papa,” “WEB” (for those in the know) beloved Father, Grandfather, Brother and Uncle passed away on July 26, 2024, at Harbor Regional Health in Aberdeen, Washington. He was 88. Bill had been a Grays Harbor resident for over 80 years.
Bill was born in Sandpoint, Idaho on Oct. 9, 1935, to Martin Van Buren Beals and La Verle (Barfuss) Beals.
The Beals family moved to the Grays Harbor area in the ‘40s.
Bill married Eloise Evelyn Anker on January 27, 1956, in Aberdeen, Washington. Eloise previously passed on Jan. 29, 2005.
Bill is survived by his children, Deborah Ann Beals; Michael Allen Beals and Leslie Kay (Beals) Handley, all living in Aberdeen, Washington. Bill is also survived by his brother, Lee Martin Beals in Aberdeen, Washington; 6 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was well loved, and touched many lives, he leaves behind many friends and acquaintances. Bill is preceded in death by his son, William Everett Beals Jr., who passed away on Aug. 13, 2015, in Seattle; brothers, David Lewis Beals and Donald Edward Beals; and sister, Bety Jean (Beals) Callos.
Bill began his working career at Camp Grisdale and also worked at the local Andrew “Andy” Janzik Service Station. He then began work at the Grays Harbor Chair Manufacturing Company, fondly referred to as “The Chair Factory,” as a millwright and Foreman. After the chair factory, Bill began working for the Grays Harbor County Housing Authority as a Maintenance Foreman until his retirement.
Bill was involved in various activities in Grays Harbor. He dressed as the A&W™ Root Beer for the grand opening of the Aberdeen restaurant and again for a Rainfair parade float in the ‘70s. In the early ‘60s he, along with his wife, Eloise and daughter Deborah, dressed in period clothes for a Founder’s Day float. Bill was dressed in a period suit with bolo tie and he sported a goatee. Bill was an avid baseball fan and coached the Aberdeen Elks Little League Team from 1969 to 1975 and Babe Ruth from 1976 to 1978. He helped coach the Elks to 40 successive wins from 1970 to 1972 and received numerous trophies. Bill also loved hunting, fishing, camping and rock hounding.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, from 2 to 5 p.m. located at the 40 & 8 Club, 2315 Simpson Ave., Aberdeen, WA 98520.
To best honor Bill, the theme of his celebration will consist of hunting, fishing, and Little League baseball. While this event will be partially catered, the family encourages you to bring a favorite dish. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grays Harbor Little League for their Sponsorship Program at info@aberdeenlittleleague.org. Please leave a memory of Bill or a note of condolence for the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Twibells Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.
