Longtime Kasilof resident, Mr. Howard “Bud” Michael Byington, 81, died Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, at Heritage Place in Soldotna.  

A celebration of his life was held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, at the VFW in Soldotna on Birch Street.  A reception and potluck followed the service. An additional celebration of his life will be July 4, 2015, at the Byington Homestead in Kasilof. 

Mr. Byington was born Aug. 20, 1933, in VanBuren, Mo. He graduated from high school and soon after he joined the U.S. Navy. In the late 1950s he moved to Kasilof where he homesteaded the property that his family still owns. Bud fished commercially in the Alaska waters before retiring in 2002. He was raised Roman Catholic, but was not currently attending a church. Bud was an avid reader and loved his vegetable garden. He is still chasing that elusive “BIG” rainbow trout.

The family wrote, “We love him and will miss him very much.” “Thank you Uncle Bud for having my back all these years – Fred.” “Farewell our father, from Little Girl, Boy and Baby Girl.” 

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and his wife, Cenie. 

Bud is survived by his sisters, Mary and Kay; children, Sandi, Johnny and Colleen; several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; grandchildren and great grandchildren; stepchildren, and many loving friends and neighbors.  

Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel & Crematory. Please visit and sign Bud’s online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com.