Willie Beamon

MISSOULA ~ Willie "Chilly" Beamon age 64, passed away on Friday July 2nd in the early hours of the morning.

He passed away at St. Patricks hospital. In the end he fell asleep peacefully with his wife Launa by his side, and decided to lace up his pads and play his next game of football with Jesus.

Willie was born on September 12th 1956 to Bessie and Jon Beamon. He had a passion for sports his whole life. He went to UCLA for the first half of his college playing days and then moved to Boise to finish out his college days. He was later drafted into the NFL by the New York Jets.

In the summer of 2007 he and his wife Launa moved to Missoula, MT to be closer to their son Josh Beamon. They both instantly fell in love with Missoula and the people in it. Willie’s passion for sport still lived inside, so he went around to high schools in the area and asked if they could use any volunteer linebacker coaches. Along with coaching the Missoula Phoenix Football Team, he began to work at Hellgate High school for several years. Doing this brought him so much incredible joy!

He was a big man with an even bigger heart. He loved so freely. If you had the pleasure of spending any time around him, you can recall his laugh and infectious smile with ease. He made everyone he came in contact with feel like a better person. Never complaining about anything that ailed him but instead always putting his effort into caring for others. This world was truly a better place with him in it. We lost a very good man, but he would want us all to celebrate him and continue to live our lives with kindness and happiness towards others.

Willie is survived by his loving wife Launa Beamon. His mother Bessie Beamon, sisters Regina Beamon and Neva Beamon. And his 4 sons (if you ask him!) Josh Beamon, Wyatt Ellis, Nic Newby and Mike Leary.

We will not be having a funeral service for him, because he hated stuff like that. We will be having a big party, with dates to be determined.

No matter who it is reading this just know that if you knew Chilly then he loved you as well. He had a faith in Jesus so no doubt we will see him again. Also, if he saw you crying he would probably slap you in the back of the head and call you a name and tell you to get on with it because he’s doing just fine now.
We will all miss you Husband/Sibling/Father/Son and Coach Chilly Willie.

Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula.