Billie Joe LYNAS

LYNAS, Billie Joe

Billie Joe Lynas passed away January 6, 2014 after having a massive stroke just a few days earlier. He put up a mighty fight to regain his speech and use of his right side but this time the fight was just too hard. Before his death, he was surrounded by his son and daughter, daughter-in-law, son-in-law and 4 grandchildren. He was aware of who everyone was and at times had tears of what we hope were joy at knowing how much he was loved.

He did not like the name Billie Joe so every one called him 'Bill' or even 'Mr. Bill'. He was known as 'Papo' by all six of his grandchildren and seven of his great grandchildren.

Mr. Lynas was born September 17, 1930 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Joseph Robinson Lynas and Willie O. Young. He was 83 years young at the time of his passing.

Bill attended Hot Springs High School until the 11th grade, then got his G.E.D. and entered the military. He also was a graduate of Austin Business College.

Bill joined the Air Force when he was just 17 years old in 1948 and was stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas where he was assigned to the 27th Fighter Escort Wing. He did a tour in Alaska and Japan and then finished his 6 year military service back at Bergstrom Air Force Base. He owned and operated a gas station even while he was in the service.

It was while he was operating this gas station that he met Barbara Ann Kimbrough and they were married Dec. 18, 1954 in Austin ,Texas. They were married for 55 1/2 years until her death July 31st 2010. He never got over losing her.

After living most of their lives in Austin, they moved to and built a home in Manor Tx where they resided for 20 years. In 2006 they built a home in Luling Tx. They enjoyed this home together until Sandy's illness and death.

After her passing, Bill's health began to fail him and in the summer of 2013 he moved to Seguin Assisted Living in Seguin, Tx. The move was very hard for him to make, but soon he had made many good friends there and the staff was very saddened at his passing.

Mr. Lynas was a Baptist at heart, but went to the Methodist churches to make Sandy happy. After her death, he found a wonderful little church, Prairie Lee Baptist church in Prairie Lee Tx. He truly loved going there and made so many wonderful friends and memories.

Unfortunately, Bill was a 'workaholic' and once told his pastor that his biggest regret in life was not spending more time with his wife and children. He always had at least two jobs and most of the time, more than that. In the 1960's he started 'Bill Lynas Equipment Co. and enjoyed the buying and selling of heavy equipment. We teased him that this was his true hobby. He once told the story of while in the service, he worked in a bowling alley 'behind the scene' where he had to manually put the pins into the machine that lowered the pins. He was in charge of two lanes and it was very back breaking work. It can never be said of Bill that he didn't provide well for his family. He also loved the outdoors and travel and especially fishing.

Mr. Lynas is survived by his daughter, Penny Lynn Spradling and husband Benny of Luling. They provided him with four grandchildren. Jennifer Spradling Sullivan and husband David of Sealy Tx, Ginger Spradling Bosquez and husband Russell of Luling,Tx, Jarred Spradling of Luling Tx , Justin Spradling and wife Shannon of Luling,Tx. Four grandchildren, Victoria Bosquez and Russell Bosquez, Jill Sullivan and Madilynn Spradling. One brand new great great grandson Bentley Corpus who he joyfully got to meet one week before his illness.

Mr. Lynas is also survived by a son Russell Wayne Lynas and daughter-in-law, Sylvia of Austin, Tx who also provided him with two more granddaughters. Crystal Pena and husband Rufugio of Buda Tx, and Elianna Rivera of Austin Tx. Three great grandchildren, Madison Crenshaw, Anissa and Matthew Pena.

Also a brother Charles Lynas of Hot Springs, Ark, three nieces and one nephew and a sister-in-law. He was a great uncle to many more.

Proceeded in death by his wife Barbara Ann Kimbrough Lynas, father Joseph Robinson Lynas, mother Willie O. Young Lynas Weeks and step father Ernest Weeks and four brothers.

Celebration of life was held at 2:00 p.m. Thurs. January 9, 2014 at O'Bannon Funeral Home in Luling Tx with Pastor Joel Densman officiating. Internment followed at the Luling Cemetery.

Pall bearers were: Russell Lynas, Benny Spradling, Jarred Spradling, Justin Spradling, David Sullivan and Rufugio Pena.

From his family, we thank you all so much for the love and care and prayers you gave our beloved father, grandfather and father-in-law. He was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed.