Burrel Frederick Hailey

1934 - 2025

Burrel Frederick Hailey

April 9, 1934 - August 8, 2025

Kennewick, Washington - Burrel Frederick Hailey, 91, of Kennewick WA, passed away Friday, August 8, 2025, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, WA. Burrel was born April 9, 1934 in Meridian, ID, to George and Mildred Hailey. His early years were spent on a ranch near Oreana in Southwest Idaho, where his father tended the ranch, and his mother was the teacher at the one room school house he attended through the 8th grade. His great grandfather John Hailey founded the town of Hailey, Idaho.

After graduating from Nampa High School, he attended Boise Junior College, receiving an associate degree in electrical engineering. To become eligible for the GI bill, Burrel then joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he worked in demolitions, serving in Korea, the Aleutian Islands, and many U.S. locations.

Burrel married Carole Reynolds in 1957, then moved to Pocatello where he received a degree in Electronics. Burrel and Carole then moved to the Tri-Cities, WA, where Burrel worked for several companies on and adjacent to the Hanford Reservation, including: General Electric, Battelle, and eventually Exxon Nuclear (later purchased by Siemens Energy) where he worked until retiring.

Burrel always loved music. At the age of 9 he played piano backup while his father played the fiddle at dances. He also played acoustic and steel guitar, the harmonica, and after retiring learned to play the fiddle. Burrel and Carole played for many years with the Washington Old Time Fiddlers organization, and during winters, the Southwest Old Time Fiddlers.

Burrel also enjoyed dancing, particularly square dancing; golfing; and traveling with their square dance friends.

Burrel is survived by his wife, Carole; brother Harold Hailey and his wife Kristi; daughter Shireene Hale and husband Edgar; Burrel's son-in-law Kenneth Roberts; granddaughter Olivia Sementi and her husband Rex Anderson; grandson Joshua Sementi and his wife Shelly; and four granddaughters: Fiona and Lucia Anderson, and Geneva and Hailey Sementi.

Burrel was a gentle soul who took all parts of life in stride, was always welcoming and never had a harsh word for anyone. A graveside military service is scheduled at Mueller's Desert Lawn Memorial Park, on the corner of 10th Ave. and S. Union Street, in Kennewick, WA, on Saturday, August 23, at 11:30 am.