Brian Mueller

Brian Alan Mueller was born on January 17, 1963, in Bremerton to Richard J. and Pauline K. Mueller.

Brian graduated from Bremerton High School in 1981, where he simultaneously completed the apprenticeship program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Brian married Deborah Kerlee in July of 1985 and had two children prior to divorcing in 2006. He met, and married his soulmate, Kathy Lillybridge, in August of 2013.

Brian started his career in the Sheetmetal Shop, and over the years moved up the ranks until retiring in 2018 as the Deputy Commander of DLA Maritime at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. While the shipyard provided for his family – his passions were elsewhere – and he was loving retirement.

Brian was an avid outdoorsman. He loved “playing” outside – camping, boating, waterskiing, dirt bike riding, and hunting which he did every year since starting as a child with his father and grandfather. Following in his father’s footsteps, he also took up both home brewing and bee keeping, with several hives on his property prior to his recent move (even though he was allergic to bees).

Brian also loved classic cars – having restored a 1964 Chevy Impala, a 1955 Chevy, and a 1934 Chevy Coup. Having recently moved, Brian was preparing to add a large shop onto his property so that he could continue his love of car restoration.

Brian was midway through his 2026 hunting trip with his friends when he had an accident on his ATV and passed away September 28, 2026. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard and stepmother Ailene. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his children, Ashley Mueller and Kyle (Nicole) Mueller, his stepchildren Jason Lillybridge, Alyssa Lillybridge and Haley Lillybridge as well as two step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother Pauline Mueller, his younger sister Jill (Dick) Rice, and his nieces Sara (Jessie) Pittis and Megan (Nate) Ziemkowski, as well as a large extended family.

A celebration of Brian’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association or Kittitas County Search & Rescue.