Richard Bruce Bionaz, a long time resident of Weiser went to be with Jesus on October 24, 2024. He was born on May 20, 1951, in Palo Alto, California to Emery L. and Doris R. Bionaz (née Russell). Richard spent most his youth in the San Francisco Bay Area. From 1951 to 1955 the family lived in Redwood City, then in late 1955, the family moved to El Segundo in the L.A. area. Returning to San Mateo on the S.F. Peninsula in 1956, then back to Redwood City from 1958 to 1965. In 1965, the family moved to Dublin in the East Bay. Richard, who graduated from Amador High School in Pleasanton in 1969, lived in Dublin until he met Mari, the love of his life, in 1975. They married on March 12, 1976.
As a young man, Richard had already demonstrated the character traits that would subsequently define him: courage, honesty, humility, strength and wisdom, generosity, compassion and empathy, loyalty, a strong work ethic, and most important, a fierce love of family. His marriage to Mari, their love and the love of their three children, Yvonne, Donald, and Yvette, made his life complete, while Mari’s powerful Christian faith introduced him to a religion that became one of the cornerstones of his life.
Richard, who had begun working while still in high school, worked in the auto parts industry when he and Mari met. After several years there, he entered an apprentice program for the Steamfitters trade. He successfully completed the program, incidentally, without missing a single day, and worked as a steamfitter for several years until an accident which could have resulted in serious injury or even death convinced him that his work future lay elsewhere. He returned to auto parts in the early 90s and worked in that industry until his retirement in 2011.
As their children married and started their own families, Richard and Mari became increasingly dissatisfied with life in California—the horrendous traffic, high prices for essential products, and soaring housing costs. In 2000, they visited some friends who had moved to Weiser. They fell in love with the town and in 2000 made the decision that it was the place they wanted to live. In 2001, that move became a reality. They found a welcoming and nurturing community and a lifestyle that was exactly what they had been looking for. In the subsequent 23 years they built a life in Weiser filled with faith and love.
As his children’s children married and started their own families, Richard, who had come from a small family, celebrated the expansion of his own family—eventually growing to nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They brought him such joy.
Unfortunately, our time on this earth is limited and Richard developed significant health problems. Here is where his character, his courage, strength, and faith again came to the fore. He battled this new challenge without complaint, refused to give up the activities that he loved, and relied on the love and support of his family and many friends through the increasingly difficult times. He eventually lost that battle, but even on the last day of his life, he was doing things for other people. He lived a full and extraordinary life.
Richard is survived by his wife Mari, his three children Yvonne Reynolds of Patterson, California, Donald Bionaz of Ripon California, Yvette Byng of Tracy, California, a brother Robert Bionaz, living in Illinois, and his nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Celebration of life will be held Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at the Weiser Church of the Nazarene from 11am-1pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richard’s name to Angel Wings Network, Inc. in Weiser, Idaho.
