Family and friends will gather Sunday to celebrate the life of Sonny Neumiller. Today, they’re sharing this remembrance with his inspiring life story:
Alray “Sonny” Neumiller, 70, passed away on September 3, 2026.
Sonny was born in Renton on April 12, 1956. A lifelong West Seattleite, he grew up with his mom, Jo, and sister, Carrie, and was close with his Grandma Hall and uncles near Westwood Village.
As a rising track and cross country star, he was the number one runner at Chief Sealth as a sophomore, and he helped win south division that year. His dog Misty was the team mascot and could be seen cheering him from the sidelines alongside his mom, Jo. He graduated from Chief Sealth High School in 1974.
In late February 1978, at the age of 21, he was injured at work and became paraplegic. He never let his disability deter him from a goal or slow him down. In fact, he was determined to do as much and more than any walking person. He married a fellow Chief Sealth ‘74 graduate, Janice Hillstrom, in 1983, and together they had a family of four kids that they raised near South Seattle College.
Sonny started distance training in his wheelchair for exercise and quickly rediscovered his competitive side around 1984. He entered and placed in countless 10ks, half marathons, and marathons until he was eventually ranked the 11th fastest wheelchair racer in the world. After convincing the Emerald City Marathon to let a wheelchair user compete, he won second place in 1986! A huge feat, especially with a flat tire in the last mile.
Prior to his injury, Sonny had planned to do a cross-country ride on a motorcycle. In 2009 he realized his dream of riding across the United States, but on a hand-crank bicycle instead of a motorcycle. On this solo journey, he also wanted to ride on lesser-traveled back roads and visit the places and people who are the backbone of our country. He rode his handcycle and pulled a trailer that held his clothes, camping gear, and wheelchair. This was not an easy trip as it typically took him four hours just to setup and break down camp each day, there were always more big hills to climb, and he was plagued with flat tires. Yet the memories of the ride that he shared were always of the many generous people (he called them his Road Angels) he met along the way who offered him kindness and assistance when he needed it. The journey began in Yorktown, VA on June 8, 2009 and ended on Alki Beach on September 1, 2009, taking him 86 days to bike 2,522.8 miles (4,060 km). His blog recording this astounding journey can be found on crazyguyonabike.com/handcycle.
He lived his life as an inspiration to so many, namely for his positivity and humor, and his willingness to work hard and live life to the fullest with a Budweiser in his hand. He was a man dedicated to his friends and family. He was an active part of the West Seattle Baseball family for decades, and was a faithful Seattle sports teams fan through and through. In his 20s he joined Ski For All, where he learned to use a sit ski, which is a bucket seat suspended above a single ski and two poles with skis at the base. Alongside his mom and his friend Olton, he was an active skier for years.
Sonny is survived by his mother, Jo Hunter. His love and legacy live on in his four children: Jessica Wilde, Nate Neumiller, Katherine Smith, and Jacquelyn Paige. To his nine grandchildren he was Papa, a constant presence. He has nine incredible grandchildren ages 6-18 to whom he dedicated his life for these past 18 years. Sonny loved any excuse to gather as a family, be it a birthday, graduation, holiday, or any chance to have his kids over. He was always at as many sports events and other activities as possible. His favorite pastime was having the grandkids on as many overnights as they wanted. During time at Papa’s, they’d play board games, swim in his pool, always go to at least one park a day, and laugh while their hair whipped in his red Mustang with the top down, everyone with a tootsie pop in their mouth.
Papa loved a party and attended as many as possible even when he wasn’t feeling well. He celebrated his 70th birthday in April this year, laughing and reminiscing with family and friends. He changed countless lives with his influence and will forever be treasured.
We will be celebrating Sonny’s life this Saturday, November 14th, at the Burien Elks Lodge at 2 pm.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)