Byron Burdette Reaney

Byron Burdette Reaney, age 61, of Everett, Washington, passed away in the hospital on 5/22/23 after a heart attack following the start of a second game of softball with his fellow employees at the Everett Naval Shipyard. He pitched the first game, winning 5 to 1 and pitching a solid four strikeouts. He departed doing something he loved – while being everyone’s favorite MVP.

Byron was born on October 5th, 1961 to Bob and Marilyn Reaney in Los Angeles, California. After Byron graduated from Ed W. Clark High School in 1979, he went on to join the Navy and worked there for 23 years. He began his career at New Mexico Military Institute. He is one of the proud few to have completed the arduous and demanding nuclear power training program, first studying in Orlando, Florida, followed by hands-on experience and education at the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

After his nuclear power training, Byron went on to serve on legendary ships such as the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Prairie (AD-15), and the USS Crommelin (FFG-37), after which he settled into recruiting before retiring from active duty in 2002. Byron left service with the honorable rank of E7 – Chief Petty Officer. He moved to Las Vegas and transitioned into a period of real estate appraisal, after which he eventually returned to civilian service as an Instrument Mechanic for the U.S. Government on naval bases in the Pacific Northwest, most notably Bremerton and Everett’s Naval shipyards.

Byron married Danny Williamson in 1991 and they divorced in 2011. They had many beautiful memories over the years together and gave the gift of life to their only child, Damon Reaney, in 1997.

When Byron wasn’t hard at work, he was passionately writing, enjoying delicious foods, traveling, and living a spiritually fulfilling life. He frequently attended the Center for Spiritual Living and later became a member of Unity in Lynnwood, where he greeted everyone with warm smiles and big hugs, learned to operate cameras for the service and volunteered every Sunday. He enjoyed many sports and activities throughout his life, from golfing to landsailing, softball, baseball, bowling, and occasionally tennis. He excelled at whatever life threw at him, and threw it right back. Byron had traveled to Japan, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Egypt, Australia, almost every state in the US, and more – his love for adventure and experiences led him around the world. His book, nearing completion and finalization at his time of death, will be published posthumously, further inspiring others and cementing his legacy.

Byron had plans to move south after retirement and continue pursuing his passion for writing and travel, which he eagerly planned with his best friend and travel partner, Mia Woodall. He will be deeply missed.

Byron was predeceased by his father, Bob Reaney. He is survived by his mother, Marilyn, his brother, Robert, his sister, Laura, his ex-wife, Danny Williamson, and his son, Damon.

Services will be held at Unity of Lynnwood on 7/8/23 at 2:00PM. Please bring your cherished memories. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Unity for their generous service to the community – alternatively, to Recompose, the funeral home at which he and others will naturally and beautifully transition into the earth, and give new life to Bells Mountain.

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Byron. Godspeed.