William James Byrnes

William (Bill) J. Byrnes, 79 passed away on January 19, 2026 in Bradenton, FL . Cause of death was cancer. Bill was born on January 1st in Buffalo, New York, to Margaret and Louis Byrnes.

 He is survived by his wife Christine, daughters Alison Payne (David) and Julie Murphy (Michael), his sister Diane Adams (Ken), stepdaughter Emily Wilcheck (Kevin), stepson Matthew Ciecka (Callie), and his six grandchildren Aiden, Jacob, Brendan, Rowan, Keiran, and Logan.

Bill attended the University of New Mexico, earning a BA in English in 1970. While a student, his work at UNM’s Popejoy Concert Hall helped support his education and sparked a lifelong passion for the performing arts. He discovered a love for the behind-the-scenes world of production and design, which led him to pursue an MFA in Theatre Production from UCLA, completed in 1972. 

Over the years, Bill designed lighting for more than 80 theatre, opera, and dance productions and worked as a freelance lighting designer for regional opera and theatre companies in Cleveland, Dayton, Toledo, and Kentucky.Bill enjoyed a 45-year career as an educator and academic administrator at Oberlin College (1972–1994), Florida State University (1994–2004), and Southern Utah University (2004–2017). 

At Southern Utah University, he served as Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts, Professor of Arts Administration, and as Associate Provost for six years.

 He was the author of six editions of Management and the Arts and lectured throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia on arts management. Even after his formal administrative roles, Bill continued his work as a presenter, author, and consultant, devoted to mentoring students and preparing future artists, educators, and arts leaders for the challenges of the field.

Beginning in the 1980s, Bill was an active member and volunteer with the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, serving in numerous leadership roles, including President from 2000 to 2002. He was honored as a Fellow of the Institute in 1993.

There will be no service at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Asolo Repertory Theatre or FSU/Aloso Conservatory for Actor Training in Bill's name.