Popular Sandpoint Businessman Bill ‘Beaner’ Johnson Dies At 70

Sandpoint lost a well-known businessman and restaurateur Tuesday when Bill “Beaner” Johnson died of an apparent heart attack.

Johnson was 70. He collapsed while working the morning shift at The Bagel Company, one of his downtown restaurants.

“He was a real promoter for this town, a consummate volunteer,” City Clerk Helen Newton said. “Everybody knew Beaner.”

Johnson grew up in Sandpoint and built the popular Panhandler Pies, a downtown restaurant he sold years ago. Johnson, married to Susan Johnson, also had owned the Trestle Creek Inn in Hope and owned and operated The Bagel Company and Pasta Billy’s.

Before he went into the restaurant business, Johnson owned two Texaco gas stations in Sandpoint and the Cheerio Tavern.

“He’s done so many things that everybody knows Beaner,” said Jack Parker a successful businessman himself and friend of Johnson’s for more than 40 years. “There was always something over the next hill for Beaner. He couldn’t sit still. I will miss him.”

Friends described Johnson as outgoing, a workaholic and generous - a man who always had a smile and a positive word.

He donated time and money to arts and sports organizations in town and was a member of many organizations. Johnson also was working to revitalize the downtown where he started his career as a “bag boy” collecting coins from slot machines.

“Beaner’s tracks are throughout North Idaho. He has through the years been a very successful businessman and has employed a tremendous amount of people,” said Ron Chaney, a childhood friend and former Sandpoint mayor. “He was not only a well-known businessman but also extremely well-liked.”

It was Chaney who gave Johnson the nickname Beaner. The moniker was used in jest when the boys were about 10 years old and it stuck.

Chaney and Johnson lived in a neighborhood of homes near the old Humbird Lumber Mill - a place called Mill Town. The two decided to walk a couple of girls home from school. The second day Johnson reached over and kissed one of the girls on the cheek.

“Of course I was horrified. I couldn’t believe he would do that,” Chaney laughed. The girl’s nickname happened to be Beaner. Chaney said he told everyone about he kiss.

“Before the infamous kiss he was just little Billy Johnson,” he said. “Beaner will be greatly missed.”

Funeral arrangements are still being made.

, DataTimes