William Frances BOGGESS Obituary (2024)

William Frances Boggess departed this world to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on November 17, 2024. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 6, 1933, to Frances Taylor and Charles August Boggess. Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley Jean (Hays) Boggess, and their six children: Gerry Boggess (Martha), of Longview; Mark (Jodi) Boggess of Yakima; Theresa (Kevin) McCormick of Yakima; Patricia (Bob) Osborne of Yakima; Jennifer Green of Naples, Florida; and Elaine (Mike) Arreola, of Yakima; as well as 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. In 1951, Bill graduated from Rosedale High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He lettered in golf all four years, and was captain of the golf team as a senior. He was voted the best golfer among east Kansas league schools in 1951 and was a medalist in every match. As a reward, he was sent to the Kansas State high school golf tournament, where he finished fourth. After his freshman year at Kansas State College, he was awarded a full golf scholarship to Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. During that summer, he won the Kansas City junior championship. In Florida, he became the number 2 man at Rollins. In following summers, he played in two national amateur championships. Drafted into the Army in 1955, Bill served two years, followed by four years in the reserves. In the summers of 1959 and 1960, he was introduced to the Pacific Northwest when he was stationed at the Yakima Firing Center. After the Army, he had to make a tough choice: to turn golf pro, or to accept a regional sales position with the Hallmark Card Company in Kansas City. He chose the latter as the more secure future, but never lost his love for golf. Bill worked for Hallmark for 10 years, managing sales to stores in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. In 1968, he and wife Shirley started opening their own stores in the same states, eventually owning 18 Luv's Hallmark stores and three Luv's cookie shops. Their businesses were centered in Yakima, and all their children worked in the company at one time or another. All the while, Bill and his family were golfing. His personal achievements include two club championships, 11 holes in 1, and 4 double eagles. At age 77, he shot 66. In his last tournament, when he was 89, he shot 79. He won senior gross in the tournament, and his team won the senior championship. Bill estimated that between the ages of 75 and 89, he played 1500 to 2000 rounds of golf and shot his age 90% of the time. In 1977, he and several other members of the Yakima Country Club and the community founded the Washington State Junior Golf Tournament. They spent more than a year developing the plan and convincing every high school and every golf course in the State of Washington to participate. The tournament continues to this day, providing generations of kids with the enjoyment and opportunities Bill enjoyed in his youth. Bill was a Paul Harris member of Rotary and was extremely active in many community events and building projects. He loved God with all his heart and was passionate about his role in the church. He was a Bible Study Fellowship leader for 15 years and continued Bible study until God called him home. Services for Bill will take place at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, at Sun Valley Church with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Yakima Union Gospel Mission and sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home, PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936.