William Randolph Buchanan, 86, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on October 24, 2025, at home in his wife Karen’s arms in Richland, Washington.  Randy was born February 04, 1939, an only child (though he always maintained he was never spoiled!) to William Walter (Buck) Buchanan and Irene Havens Buchanan in Lewistown, Montana.

After Randy’s birth, the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where he fondly remembers his maternal grandmother riding motorcycles and playing Bingo and pitching pennies with him.  In 1943, they moved to Washington where Buck accepted a firefighting position at Hanford.  They settled in the trailer camp of Hanford until their first home, a prefab in Richland, became available.

Randy attended Richland Schools graduating from Columbia High as a proud Bomber in the class of 1957.  He then attended Columbia Basin College and Central Washington University.

Randy loved playing sports.  His favorites were sandlot ball (and yes, there was some fist-fighting among the sandlot games) and water skiing on the Columbia River.  The family had a ski boat and Buck built a dock, complete with a BBQ.  Although Buck was happy to tow anyone that wanted to ski, nobody could ski like Randy Buchanan.  He played baseball, snow skied, bowled, and golfed into adulthood.  Although he loved sports, he always considered himself a fair-weather player.

From 1960 to 1966, Randy served in the United States Air Force National Guard/Military Police with a honorable discharge.  He quickly became a Team Leader but it was soon discovered that he didn’t march as well as expected. Upon his removal as Team Leader, his “practice-til-perfect” attitude put him back into Team Leader position!  He then loved marching and that must have been what made Randy into such a great dancer which he loved to do – especially disco!

In 1962, Randy married Judith Johnson and they had 3 children; Jill, Dana, and Steven.

Randy began his 30-year Hanford career with Isochem and worked through all the changing Hanford companies retiring from Westinghouse Hanford as an Analytical Laboratory Manager in 1995.  While at Hanford, he made many lasting relationships. One being with his wife, Karen, whom he met in 1981 and to whom he married in 1985.

Upon Randy’s retirement, Randy and Karen enjoyed traveling in their 5th wheel and then designing a new home.  He loved to travel but really enjoyed short road trips. Favorite places were Seattle, Cannon Beach, Leavenworth, Las Vegas, and Victoria, BC but Randy was always anxious to get back home to see his many Maine Coon cats.  He was truly happiest at home.

A holiday man at heart, Randy always wanted to be a Santa Elf.  No matter which home he was living in, the neighbors could count on the Buchanan residence to be lit up and decorated to the nines.

Randy will always be known for his sense of humor, practical joke playing, competitive spirit, his (many) cars, his gin & tonic with lime, and ALWAYS his love for his family.  He deeply enjoyed watching his son, Steven, then his grandson, Eric, playing sports.  This year was the first year that the great-grandsons were old enough to play flag-football and golf.  What a hoot for Grandpa to watch!

Randy leaves behind his loving and devoted wife Karen, daughters Jill C. Rose (Rick) of Richland, WA and Dana L. Young (Ralph) of Bellevue, WA.  He also leaves behind 2 grandchildren, Ashley C. Rose O’Konek (Derek) of  Richland, WA and Dr. Eric R. Rose (Shelby) of Richland, and 4 great-grandchildren, Lawson O’Konek, Wyatt O’Konek, Jackson Rose, and Colton Rose.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Walter (Buck) Buchanan, his mother, Irene Havens Buchanan, and his son, Steven Scott Buchanan.

“Don’t cry because it’s over – smile because it happened!”