William “Bill” Jacob Beegle, 101, a longtime resident of Blairstown, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Bill was the son of Floyd Elias and Grace Isabel (Webbe) Beegle and was born at home in Blairstown on May 12, 1924. He graduated Blairstown High School class of 1943 with his classmate and future wife Elizabeth “Betty” Latteman. They were engaged at the Blairstown Footbridge and married at the Presbyterian Manse on March 18, 1945, becoming a quintessential couple of the World War II era. In 1949 they moved to Washington, NJ where they raised their four children. After living briefly in Colorado, they moved back to their beloved Blairstown in 1972 where they made their home ever since. Bill and Betty were recognized as the Longest Known Married Couple in Warren County, having been married for 78.5 years.
In his youth Bill dreamed of aviation and at the age of nine or ten would walk several miles to a hangar at what would later become the Blairstown Airport. He was fascinated by airplanes and would walk that distance regularly to simply hand the mechanics their tools and learn about the planes. When Bill was a young teen, his father took him to the airport for a paid ride in a Stearman airplane. He could barely peep his head over the edge of the open cockpit to see the ground below. This was Bill’s first flight and after this experience he was truly hooked on flying. As soon as he turned eighteen, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps to join the war effort of WWII. He went on to become a pilot and earn his wings as a Second Lieutenant flying a B17 Flying Fortress bomber. After the war he joined the Givens Belet American Legion Post #258 where he held the title of adjunct. Bill’s love of aviation carried on throughout his life and was shared with his son Jeff, granddaughter Christie, son-in-law Gene and grandson Michael.
During his high school years Bill and his brothers Bob and Chip were very involved with Boy Scout Troop 140 where Bill earned the rank of Star. His troop helped to salvage a C-47 transport plane that had crashed on the Blue Mountain above Walnut Valley. (Later he was also a scoutmaster with the troop). He worked at Blair Academy in his young teens, first as a caddie on their newly established golf course (mid 1930s). He then went to work in the Blair kitchen, working in the early morning hours before school, then attended classes at Blairstown High School and returning to Blair to work an additional shift after school. With this long day he still managed to take part in sports, scouting, studying and helping at home. Special time was spent at Paulina Dam fishing and swimming, as well as bike rides to nearby towns.
Bill was well known as master mason and builder, first owning “Beegle Bros. Construction” with his younger brother Chip. Evidence of Bill’s stone and brick work is celebrated throughout the region including Newton Hospital, Hunterdon Hospital, Blair Academy, Hot Dog Johnny’s, Oakwood and Bel-Pike bowling lanes along with many private homes and landmarks. Bill took pride in his work and had great integrity in making sure the work was done right. He coupled this work ethic with his artistic skill creating “works of art” with his stonework. With some much-appreciated family help, he built the homes that he and Betty lived in most recently. One home he built at age fifty and the other at age seventy-five. His legacy of building is carried on through his son Bill, nephew Larry Van Syckle, and grandson Jason. Prior to his retirement, he worked at Hoffman La Roche (HLR) in Belvidere as a chemical operator. Retirement didn’t slow him down; he continued masonry jobs and worked as a ranger at Apple Mountain Golf Course.
Favorite hobbies included bowling, golf, hunting, traveling, woodworking, playing cards (especially UNO) and spending time with family. He built and co-owned Oakwood Lanes in Washington, NJ, where his team qualified for national championships taking them across the US. In his retirement he was president of the Senior League at Bel-Pike Lanes and at the age of 95 was the oldest active bowler in Warren County. He was president and founder of the famed Red Sock Society. Bill helped to organize the annual Cal Kemp Memorial Golf Tournament through HLR and once shot the pinnacle of the golf world – a hole in one! There were many golf outings that he enjoyed with his son Bill, grandson Eric and grandson Michael, along with best friend Al Schmidt. Bill and Betty enjoyed traveling the United States in their RV exploring the American countryside with their dear friends the Schmidts. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Blairstown and the Lion’s Club in Washington, NJ.
Bill’s time with his family was very special to him. He was just the most loving and caring father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, brother, and son. He was always willing and excited to help family and friends with their home improvement projects. Most importantly he treasured every interaction with his beloved family and friends, and he was very proud of his family’s accomplishments. He will forever be a role model for his family.
We will miss his sparkling blue eyes, big smile, booming voice, along with his wonderful way of bringing joy and making us all laugh. “Hasta la vista baby” as Dad would say when leaving. When folks would tell him “See you next time “he would reply “thanks for the warning.” We love you so dearly Dad. ❤️
Bill is survived by his four children: William D. (Kathe) of Pinehurst, NC; Jeffrey (Jeanne) of Raleigh; NC, Donna Melnyczenko of Bethlehem, PA; and Christine Beegle of Blairstown, NJ; sister Ellen “Honey” Costa of Cape Coral, FL; nine grandchildren: Kevin (Dana) Beegle, Eric (Jeanine) Beegle, Jason (Kelly) Beegle, Kim (Christopher) Ply, Christie (Jeff) Karrels, Tara (Emmett) Kluxen, Michael (Jennifer) Bryan, Christine (Jason) Melnyczenko, Alyson (Nate) Barrall; fifteen great grandchildren: Kyllie, Tyler, Brenna, Kaden, Sadi, Ethan, Allison, Mackenzie, Megan, Joseph, Colin, Alexa, Olivia, Hazel, and Nolan along with many, many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he joins his loving wife Elizabeth, his siblings: Elinor (Paul) Lowman, Robert (Audrey) Beegle, Marion (Gilbert) Van Syckle, Gordon “Chip” (Ann) Beegle, Joan (William) Ouram, and brother-in-law Donald Costa along with his son-in-law Eugene Melnyczenko, nephew Fred Beegle, niece Diana Lowman, nephew James Latteman and his Latteman in-laws.
Donations can be made in Bill’s honor to the Blairstown Ambulance Corps., PO Box 389, Blairstown, NJ, 07825.