William Kenneth Kyriss, 82, of Albany, passed away Feb. 11, 2023, after 104 days at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, from complications from a fall he had Nov. 1, 2022.
He was born Aug. 26, 1940, in Hood River to William G. and Nina R. (Horn) Kyriss.
Ken and Johnny Ruth (McCuistian) were married Dec. 17, 1960 in Sweet Home.
Upon graduation from high school, he attended OCE in Monmouth for one year, returning to work on the family farm until 1972.
He then went on to work for Wah Chang, retiring in 2001.
In 1978 Ken bought his own farm outside Albany and started racing thoroughbred and quarter horses, before selling his farm and moving into Albany in 2013.
He was known for his love of horses and sports, always caring for his horses and later in life watching OSU baseball on his big screen from his power recliner. (It was a family divided – GO DUCKS!)
Ken is survived by his wife, Johnny Ruth of Albany; son Wm. Kraig of Portland/ Albany; granddaughter Kaitlyn M. Kyriss of Eugene; siblings Steve Kyriss of Baker City, and Christina Kyriss Branson of Datil, N.M.
He was preceded in death by his father, William G. Kyriss; mother Nina R. Kyriss; and brother Richard “Dick” Kyriss.
To honor Ken, memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 10, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.
Family burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Gilliland Cemetery.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.