Arvel "Reese" Byington

Arvel “Reese” Byington was born December 27, 1956 to Gen Spencer and JoeAnna (Walton) Byington. The family lived in Poplar Idaho seven miles east of Ririe until 1961, when they moved into a “much larger home” on 1st West Street in Ririe.

Reese attended Ririe Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High School there. He excelled in Rodeo, where he was presented with multiple awards for riding the bucking brutes.

Reese had an affinity for the wild, he loved catching snakes and chasing his sisters and cousins with them. He had and insatiable appetite for fishing and you’d find him somewhere along the mighty Snake River or the canals anytime summer or winter, except when he was off traversing the country.

Texas became his second home time and time again. Several of his sisters and brothers had taken up residency around Dallas and Sherman and he often spent several years working with or around them in the warmth of Texas hospitality.

He had a carpenter’s heart, although he could do about anything set before him. He drove 18 wheelers cross country, roofed and put siding on houses, and his auto mechanical skills were called upon many times.

Reese always held out a helping hand for those who had a need. If he could help financially, materially, or through service, he gave what he could, even when in times when he had little himself.

When he was 16 or 17, he and a friend hitch-hiked from Idaho to Texas to “see the country up close”. They made a stop in southern Texas and wound up meeting some Christian fellows who invited them to stay that the Christian refuge. There they heard the gospel message that Jesus died to take their sin “freely” and three days later rose from the dead as the first to be resurrected They both committed their lives into the hands of Jesus. Although Reese didn’t always walk closely with the Lord, he never lost trust in Him.

When he went to be with Jesus on April 10, 2021, he did so quickly. The Lord said “Come up here My Child” and away he flew.  He is dining with Dad, Mom, Collette (Neel) Glenda (Jack), Kaye (Weeks) and many beloved others.

He left behind to come later Dick D. (deceased wife Kaye Weeks) Byington, Sonya (Rich) Durham, Madeline Pettingill, Kevin Byington, Fondell Byington, Stacy (Teena) Byington,  Shelly Wadlow, and many nephews and nieces who adored him.

We are all thankful for his life and that he is safe in the Kingdom of Heaven. A celebration of his life to honor who he is will be held in Ririe at the City Park on Saturday, June 5th, from 12 to 4p.m.