William Wayne Rein

William Wayne Rein, of Kent Wa passed away peacefully July 13, 2025 at the age of 94. Born in Ellensburg Wa the youngest of three children Jan. 12th 1931 to Henry and Mabel Rein. He lived and worked on the family farm until graduating from Ellensburg High School where he played guard on the football team.

Bill moved to Everett WA after high school where he found many opportunities for work and training. Most people later in life knew him as a home builder but he was a “Jack Of All Trades” - auto mechanics, pulp mill operations, welding, sheet metal fabrication, heavy equipment operator, and carpentry - and several union affiliations! Later in life after moving to Kent Wa, he and a neighbor built a saw mill.

He enjoyed trout fishing and pheasant hunting in the Ellensburg area when he returned to visit family. Occasionally he would try salmon fishing on Hood Canal - also shrimping and crabbing, harvesting shellfish and seaweed from a cabin at Nellita. He earned his private pilot license with instructor Max Jones and at times owned a Beechcraft, various Cessnas, and a Citabria. He loved to fly!

He was preceded in death by his sister Elsie Hile, brother Leonard Rein and many of the friends he knew at Auburn airport. William is survived by his wife Betty Jo Rein; children: Kathy, Sue, Robert; grand children: Dan, Jennifer, Damon, Mark, Tara, Jacob, Jenny; nieces: Betty, Valerie; nephew: Pat; and many great grand children.