Obituary of Byron Wanty

Byron Wanty who never had a lazy moment in his life has finally taken a rest. Byron peacefully passed away on December 29, 2023.

He was born in Milan, Michigan on May 24, 1927 to Ada and Clayton Wanty. He grew up close with extended family enjoying life around the lakes and countryside of Michigan. Immediately upon graduation Byron was inducted into the Navy near the end of World War II. After serving until the close of the war and an honorable discharge, Byron attended University of Michigan as an electrical engineering student. He participated as a drummer with the marching band and had an amazing experience in 1951 when Buick sponsored the Michigan Marching Band as they traveled across the country in a private train, to perform in the Rose Bowl Game that New Year’s Day.

After graduation in May 1951, Byron moved to Long Island, New York where he started his first job at Hazeltine Corporation. He lived in a rented room and met his landlady’s cousin Ethel who became his future bride. In his words “As soon as I saw her, I knew Ethel was the one” They married in June 1953 and moved to their first house in Huntington Station, NY. They had three children Richard, Duane and Katherine.

They raised their family on Long Island, vacationed with friends in their camper, enjoyed boating and a summer cottage in Toms River NJ. They finally built a beautiful vacation home in Warren, Vermont where many happy memories were made. Byron went on to work at Republic Aviation and retired from AIL-Eaton in 1991. When their children grew up and married, Richard to Diane, Duane to Patricia and Kate to Tom, they uprooted and settled in Pembroke Massachusetts near Duane and Kate. 

Byron and Ethel spent much of their time with their family and 5 grandchildren, they traveled the world extensively, and Byron has spent much of his time in his beautiful garden focusing on his prize winning dahlias.

Byron is survived by his wife of over 70 years Ethel and her sister Ruth, his children and their spouses, 5 grandchildren - Rachel, Abigail, Jack, Matthew and Max, and 3 great grandchildren - Kaiser, Silas and Oskar.

A private family ceremony will take place on Saturday January 6, 2024 with a celebration of his long life to be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations to The National Park Foundation would honor Byron and the many parks he enjoyed in his life.