William L. Eagleton

January 27th, 2011

Memorial

Mementos

Ambassador William Lester Eagleton Jr, born in Peoria, Illinois August 17, 1926, passed away peacefully at his home in Taos, New Mexico on January 27, 2011. He graduated from Peoria High School in 1943, served in the Navy at the end of WW2, graduated from Yale University, Institut des Sciences Politiques Paris, and Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. William Eagleton embarked on a remarkable 42 year career in the US Foreign Service, which began in Madrid and subsequently took him to Syria, Lebanon, Northern Iraq, Iran, Mauritania, London, Yemen, Algeria, Libya, Iraq, and Syria again where he served as Ambassador. Following retirement from the Foreign Service, he launched a second career with the United Nations, first as Deputy of UNRWA in Vienna, then as Special Coordinator for Sarajevo during the Bosnian war, and finally as Special Representative to the Secretary General for Western Sahara. He briefly rejoined US Government service in 2003, as Special Adviser for Northern Iraq. Author of two books, the Kurdish Republic of Mahabad (1954), and Kurdish Rugs and Other Weavings (1985), his friendship with the Kurdish people goes back to the early 1950s. He was preceded in death by his father, William Eagleton Sr, his mother Mary Louise Eagleton (née Chandler), his brother Lee Eagleton, and his son Robert Eagleton. He is survived by his wife Kathleen Eagleton (née Flannigan) and his seven children: Diane Eagleton of Boulder, CO; Marc Eagleton of Altea, Spain; Richard Eagleton of Altea, Spain; Philip Eagleton of Altea, Spain; Anthony (Valerie) Eagleton of Paris, France; John (Bénédicte) Eagleton of Paris, France; and Mary Louise (Sebastian) Eagleton Meaney of Paramaribo, Suriname. Ambassador Eagleton is also survived by his brother Richard (Joyce) Eagleton of Peoria, IL, twenty grandchildren and four soon to be five great grandchildren. A small gathering to celebrate his life will be held at his home in Taos, NM on February 1st. A memorial service and interment of his ashes will take on Friday, July 15, 2011 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Rock Creek Park Cemetery in Washington, DC. Please RSVP to Kay Eagleton, 575-758-5926.

Tributes

Nelly Charbonneaux Bonneville

It is only today that I learn of Bill Eagleton's passing away. I recognized his photograph after all these years and often wondered what, Diane, Marc and Philip became? With all my sympathy, Nelly Charbonneaux Bonneville

Published May 4th, 2014

Tarif Kari

I just came to know he passed away last January. Bill was more to me than a neighbor and a friend's dad, he was an inspiration and a role model. Rest in Peace Mr. Eagleton. The world has lost a great man.

Published October 22nd, 2011

Tom Homan

I was serving at the US Interests Section in Baghdad when Bill Eagleton arrived in 1979 to take charge of our fledgling operation there. Bill was there when the Iran-Iraq War broke out a short time later and Bill stayed up through the night to ensure that everone was accounted for and a safe evacuationof Americans was arranged. We watched the air raids by the Iranians into Baghdad from his office window. He was a wily and skilled diplomat cum politician and led a careful restructuring of the the fragile relationwhip between the US and Iraq at a crucial time. And he did it all with warmth and elan.

Published March 19th, 2011

Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt

Dear Kay and family: I just found out that your Bill had died and wanted you to know that my heart sank upon receiving this sad news. Bill was my first boss when I went to work in Near Eastern Affairs at State in 1956. Working in that office, with Bill's close friend Dick Parker(what a hoot he was!) Ed Waggoner, et al was not only very interesting but so much fun. Those old days at State were unique. But as to Bill, he was unique as well, such a well-rounded person: brilliant in his work as Ambassadors wherever, equally talented in his research and writing on oriental, esp. Kurdish, rugs, and a dear friend. I know life must be very strange for you, Kay, with such a huge personality missing from your life. My very tardy condolences to you and yours. If you come east, please know you and or your family are always welcome here on the river in Dresden, Maine. Charlotte

Published November 24th, 2012

Evangelos George Lambrou

Rest in peace Ambassador. Thank you for your service to our great country and your example to those of us you honored with your friendship. We love you and miss you. αιώνια μνήμη-Memory Eternal.

Published April 8th, 2011

John Fawcett

I worked for Bill Eagleton for 18 months in Sarajevo. Though it was a war zone, he maintained a drive and vigor that put younger people to shame. I have many fond memories of Bill, including his chicken and rice suppers when you might find yourself across the table from a General, a Senator, a future president, or as in my case, a future wife. I will never forget him.

Published March 7th, 2011

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