Remembering Billy Rheynalds

Picture from Seattle Times Obituary

On Sunday, January 16th Billy was called out to remove a fallen tree between Fall City and Carnation.  It was pouring, the rivers were flooding, and the wind was blowing hard.  This is the type of work DOT road maintenance workers do.  This is the type of work that John use to do.

Billy was killed that night by a tree whose roots were undermined by the flooded river and, then, blown over by the wind.  His death came as a shock to us and others in the DOT community.

Since John's retirement, a few of the guys still keep in touch with him.  Billy was one.  He was a good friend.  I'm remembering Billy again today, as the rivers are again flooding and John is on the phone with another DOT friend.

Memorial to WA DOT Workers Killed in Work Zones

It just seems right to remember Billy here.