Kenneth Ervin Barney

Kenneth was born on September 17, 1949 in Safford, AZ to Orris Barney and Florence Williams Barney. He graduated from Safford High School in 1967. He graduated with a bachelor’s in education from the University of Idaho in 1989.

Kenneth married Linda S. Wilcock in 1975 in the Mesa Arizona Temple and the couple had five children together. Kenneth began work as a ceramic tile setter in high school and did this throughout his life. He also spent time driving haul truck for the Kennecott Copper Mine in AZ, worked at a lumber yard in Cody, WY, was a special education teacher in Ilwaco, WA and worked in resale market and boutique shops in Spokane Valley, WA.

Kenneth loved the outdoors. His favorite hobbies included fishing, hunting and especially metal detecting. He was a talented wood worker and loved building things for the home and to give as gifts. Beginning in his high school years and into his twenties he practiced falconry. Building and flying RC airplanes was another hobby, along with gold panning, ping-pong and sketching and engraving glass and wood. It brought him joy whenever he could include his family or friends in these hobbies.

His family and friends will always remember him as an honest, friendly, caring, kind person and a great storyteller. His compassionate heart often led him to serve whomever needed a helping hand. He also had a great love for the gospel, Jesus Christ and was faithful to his beliefs.

Kenneth is survived by his former wife Linda S. Barney of Spokane Valley, WA; daughters Candace Brown, Heather and Crystal of Spokane, WA; son Justin of Meridian, ID and son Michael of Spokane Valley, WA; siblings Vicki Hancock, Sherri Winn, Randy Barney of Arizona and Julie Barney of Florida. He is also survived by six grandsons, three granddaughters and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. He is preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Brian and grandson Ethan.

His viewing is scheduled from 4pm to 7pm on Sunday, October 24th, 2021 at the Thornhill Valley Funeral Home in Spokane Valley, WA. All are welcome to attend. A private family graveside service will be on Monday, October 25th.

The family would like to thank his friends for their kindness and companionship throughout his life. He often shared with his family his love for his friends. Any fond stories, memories and comments that can been shared are greatly appreciated and will be treasured by his surviving family members. Flowers and donations are not needed—Kenneth would have preferred that you spend that money on creating your own family memories.