Billy Ray Lynn

Billy Ray Lynn was born on April 24, 1930 in the oil fields of Vernon, Texas to parents William Austin Lynn and Lila Mae Hutchins. Because the doctor died within a week of Bill’s birth, he didn’t receive a birth certificate—a fact he would take advantage of later when trying to join the military.

Bill grew up in Tyler, Texas as the oldest of five children. He was one of the first students to attend Douglas Elementary and later went to school at Roberts Junior High and Tyler High School. During that time, Bill spent many days at Camp Fannin: going out on BIVOUAC with the soldiers, selling newspapers to the German prisoners-of-war, riding back and forth to town in the commander’s Jeep and eating candy from his desk.

Bill successfully joined the Texas State Guard at age 12 and unsuccessfully tried to enlist in the Navy at age 15. The latter turned him down after calling his junior high and learning how old he was. However, Bill made it into the Marine Corps just a year later, thanks to a friend who vouched for his identity.

He spent World War II at El Toro Marine Air Base in California checking rivets on F4U Corsairs. Afterward, he returned home and graduated high school.

Bill reactivated, and in 1950 became part of the 1st Marine Division Expeditionary Force sent from Hawaii to southeast Korea to secure it from the North Korean invasion. It was then that he became one of the first members of the U.S. forces in Incheon. He spent the rest of his time in Korea fighting in the Chosin Reservoir, where he was seriously hurt and forced to spend over a year recuperating in the hospital. Bill spent the remainder of his service in Japan before returning to Tyler and marrying Nancy McNew Lynn on May 15, 1953. The couple had their daughter Amye in 1958 and Andy in 1964.

Bill’s civilian work began with a job at Bryant Heater, but he left to join the Tyler Fire Department, where he became the first firefighter to receive the Tyler Firefighters Legends Award. He also was ordained as a deacon at North Dixie Baptist Church and served at First Baptist Church Tyler. After retiring from the fire department, Bill worked at Swan’s, First Baptist Tyler, and Trinity Mother Francis Hospital. He retired for good to spend more time with his granddaughters. Bill’s hobbies spanned from painting in his early years to gardening, cooking, and baking. Always the giver, he shared his delicious homemade bread and cinnamon rolls with many people.

He was selfless: giving others the best before he had any for himself and striving so that his family and people less fortunate were taken care of first. The world is a better place because he did so willingly and asked nothing in return.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife Nancy of 71 years, mother and father Lila and William, brothers Russel and Bob, and sister Barbara. He is survived by his daughter Amye, son Andy (Laurie), granddaughters Corie and Zoe, brother Hugh, many nieces and nephews, and his brothers at the Tyler Fire Department.

The family would like to thank everyone who visited Bill and provided his health care: Amy’s Home Health, Heart to Heart Hospice, Vital Care Nursing, Watkins-Logan Veterans Home, Jay McClung, the Tyler Fire Department, and the staff and members of First Baptist Tyler.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Tyler Firefighters Relief Fund. Please send checks to:

Tyler Firefighters Relief Fund, P.O. Box 8168, Tyler, Tx. 75711.

A Service to Celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at First Baptist Church, Tyler with Rev. Pike Wisner officiating, under direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home. The family will gather at the church at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to greet friends and family prior to services. He will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery with Marine Corp Military Honors.