Entering Small, Living Big

Royal John Shuler was born October 12, 1952 in Prosser, WA to Joy and John Shuler. He passed away at home in Benton City, WA on December 21, 2025 at the ripe old age of 73. His passing followed a multi-year struggle with consistent health-issues, which if you knew Royal, you know he believed he would best the issues in the end.

Royal John Shuler entered the world small, often comparing his adult sized thumb to the size of his newborn leg. Starting out at only 4 lbs 15 oz you would never have predicted that he would end up towering at 6 ft 3 in and would become one of the toughest, strongest football tackles in Kiona-Benton City High School history. He has been most often described as laid back and good natured in his early life. Often sharing treats with his younger sisters after getting paid from his local dairy farm job.

As an adult Royal spent time serving his country in Germany from 1973 to 1977 with the US Army. During his time in the army he honed a multitude of skills including tank driving and sharpshooting with a .45 caliber pistol. It is here that he met two of his life long friends Dennis and Julie, whose friendship he greatly treasured.

After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1977, with a rank of Sergeant E-5, he spent time living and working in the Benton City area. This time period of his life was focused on fostering a multitude of passions including motorcycle riding/maintenance, driving his prized TransAM, reading almost anything (westerns, sci-fi, fantasy, survival, homesteading, etc.), and collecting anything and everything he found interesting, especially if it was either a firearm or a knife. Through an army buddy he met and married Helen Fallis of North Idaho in June of 1985, and adopted her young daughter as well. He and his new family settled on a ten-acre section of his family’s historical homestead outside Benton City. Helen and Royal would be married for 40 years and added a son and daughter to the family.

He was employed by Chevron Chemical, attended Perry Technical Institute to obtain certification in HVAC systems and later worked for several Hanford contractors. He was always appreciated by his employers and coworkers for his sense of humor and dedication. He showed up on time, worked hard every day, and was meticulously detailed. When he had the opportunity he would rope his children into going fishing with him or working outside on the farm.

Royal was a man with a quick smile (and temper), a giving and helping nature, and blessed with outspoken opinions. Fortunately, this set of qualities was well matched with the rest of his family, as I am sure any number of people who conversed with him would attest. He was also surprisingly sentimental, often saving a small thing that held important memories for him. All his life he loved trips to the ocean, with the salty smells and sounds of the crashing waves. When he was no longer able to read, he transitioned to listening and watching stories on YouTube. As you can imagine, he gravitated towards information concerning Sasquatch, aliens, conspiracy theories, and anything about living off the grid.

In the last few years of his life his health and care became more complicated, with time spent in both hospital and a few rehabilitation centers. He battled serious infections, one ending in the amputation of his left foot. Most recently he was being cared for at home by his youngest daughter Mary and wife Helen. His daughter Mary was a particular godsend to her Dad and the family with her dedication in caring for him. Although his health had become more complicated, he professed to the end that he would recover and regain his ability to walk (with a prosthetic of course).

He is survived by loved ones including his loving and dedicated wife Helen, son Richard (Rebekah) of Richland, daughter Annie (Matt) of Tukwila, daughter Mary (Colt) of Benton City, grandchildren Alex, Mathew, Liam, John, and Helena, sisters Alana (Joe) and Ruth (Gary), and brother-in-law Ron. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished friends whom he loved dearly.

Royal was preceded in death by many he loved and cared for, including his parents Joy and John Shuler, brother and best friend Mike, sister Arne, baby sister Mary, baby brother Dennis, many loved aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents John and Lil Baumgartner and John and June Shuler.

If you would like to donate to a cause in his memory please consider either The American Diabetes Association or The Wounded Warrior Project.

A memorial service is expected to be held in the Summer of 2026.