Wyman L. Renfrow

Wyman L. Renfrow, 90, longtime resident of Ellensburg, passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Kittitas Valley Hospital.

Wyman was born on October 1, 1934, in Turtle Lake, North Dakota, to LeRoy and Gladys (Isaacson) Renfrow. After moving to Ellensburg in 1937 with his parents and brother, Wyman attended Ellensburg schools and graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1952.

Following high school, he joined the US Army Chemical Corps, where he performed a variety of roles. Upon returning from his service, while taking classes at Central Washington University, he drove school buses for the Ellensburg School District. It was during his time driving school buses that he got to know thousands of student riders, many of whom would stay in touch with him for the rest of his life.

Wyman moved to Seattle in 1956 and became a firefighter with the Seattle Fire Department. Returning to Ellensburg in 1960, he continued to drive school buses for the school district and, in 1964, joined the Ellensburg Fire Department, where he retired as Captain in 1987. The fire department became a significant part of his life, as well as his family's. His children enjoyed visiting the fire station, listening to him on the scanner with Engine 6, seeing him in uniform, and hearing his stories about calls he and his crews completed.

In 1987, he returned to the Ellensburg School District, driving school buses and later becoming a transportation trainer, supervisor, and then the school district's transportation director. He fully retired in 1998. He was always overjoyed when his former school bus riders, now adults, would stop him in town to reminisce about him being their bus driver many years prior.

While he received awards and achievements throughout his career, his proudest accomplishment was creating the IAFF Local 1758 Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue (successor to Ellensburg Fire Department) Life Support Fund in 1975. This fund continues to raise money to assist KVFR in purchasing advanced equipment that goes beyond standard budget items. His firefighter brotherhood remained important to him, and he was appreciative of their support in his final years.

Wyman most recently attended Mercer Creek Church and volunteered at the Kittitas Valley Hospital for 12 years, getting to know staff, visitors and city residents. Over the years, he served on boards of Camp Fire, LEOFF Disability, and Heart Fund. He was known for his “dad jokes” and puns, his love for supporting and volunteering in the Kittitas Valley in numerous ways, camping, spending time with his family, and his willingness to help anyone in need.

Wyman was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Gladys Renfrow, and his brother, Wayne (Fran). He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rosellen Renfrow; his children, Barb Renfrow-Baker (Jim), Jennifer Clark (Dave), Rob Renfrow (Janet), and Rich Renfrow (Melissa); his step-children, Linda Boggs (John), Bob Wickerath, Tom Wickerath (Sabina), and Jim Wickerath (Lauren); his nephews, Craig Renfrow (Karen) and Curt Renfrow (Paula); 11 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

Wyman’s funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025 in the Evenson Memorial Chapel at Johnston & Williams in Ellensburg with burial and fire department honors to follow at the IOOF Cemetery. A reception will follow the graveside service at First Lutheran Church starting at approximately noon. Viewing for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30 also at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in Wyman’s honor are suggested to the Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue Life Support Fund, P.O. Box 981, Ellensburg WA 98926 or dropped off at the KVFR station at 400 E Mountain View Ave in Ellensburg.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com