Byron Betts, 77, built Enchanted Village

Byron Betts, who ignored bankers and built a successful theme park and water-amusement center in Federal Way, is dead at 77.

Mr. Betts died last Tuesday (Oct. 7) at his home in the Redondo area.

Bankers were skeptical when he and his wife opened Enchanted Village Family Entertainment Park in 1977 on 12 acres east of Interstate 5.

Mr. Betts followed with Wild Waves Water Park in 1984.

His father, Wes, owned and ran a vintage carousel in the 1920s and '30s, first in Redondo and later at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.

Byron Betts moved the ride to the Enchanted Village.

He sold the two neighboring operations to real-estate investors for $8 million in 1992.

The businesses, which were sold again three years ago to Six Flags for $19.3 million, now draw about 500,000 visitors a year.