William F. Lynch Jr.

Dr. William (Bill) Frederick Lynch, Jr., age 81, died in his home on February 1, 2015, in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Bill was born January 30, 1934, in Jackson, Mississippi, the son of William Frederick Lynch and Frances Evelyn Howie. Bill is the nephew of Edgar Howie, who lived with Bill's family after his father passed away when Bill was 6 years old. Bill graduated from Jackson Central High School in 1952, where he was elected to the All Big 8 Football Conference and was a scholar athlete. Bill was elected Most Handsome of the class of 1952. Bill went on to attend Millsaps College where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity.

After college, Bill attended medical school where he was a member of the first 4-year graduating class of the University of Jackson (later becoming UMMC). Bill graduated as one of the top 3 in his medical school class and was a member of Phi Chi fraternity. He was also a member of Alpha Mu Medical Honor Society, AOA Honor Society, Guardian Society, and he was chosen to receive the Mosby Scholastic Excellence Award. While in medical school, Bill married Mary Gwen Wilson. Soon after, Bill and Gwen had children – Mary Frances Lynch and William Frederick Lynch, III.

After medical school, Bill joined the Navy where he served for 10 years. He was initially stationed in Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, where he received training and took part in a vascular fellowship. Bill and his family then moved to Pensacola, FL, where he completed his flight surgeon training. In 1960, Bill and Gwen had twin boys – James Wilson Lynch and John Edgar Lynch– before he was sent to Vietnam where he served for 13 months with the Marine Helicopter Squadron. During his service in Vietnam, Bill received the Naval Commendation Medal.

After Vietnam, Bill and his family moved to New York where he trained as a radiologist for 3 years. While in New York, their youngest son – Thomas Howie Lynch – was born. Following his training in New York, Bill moved back to San Diego with his wife and 5 children. After serving for 3 years in San Diego, Bill retired as a lieutenant in the Navy and a Board Certified Radiologist.

Upon retiring from the Navy, Bill and his family moved back to Jackson, MS, where he began working with the Central Mississippi Medical Center. After working for 35 year with CMMC hospital, Bill retired and began serving as an associate professor with the UMMC Neuro-Radiology Department.

Bill enjoyed spending time with his family, reading, and playing sports. He coached little league baseball, was an avid boater, and an excellent racquetball player. He was a member of Madison United Methodist Church, a founder of The Courthouse, and a member of Annandale Golf Club.

Bill is preceeded in death by his parents and his son William Frederick Lynch, III.

Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Gwen Wilson Lynch of Jackson; his daughter Mary Frances Lynch Turner (Rick) of Jackson; his daughter-in-law Cindy Lynch Barth of RIdgeland; his son James Wilson Lynch of New Orleans; his son John Edgar Lynch (Helen) of Brookhaven; his son Thomas Howie Lynch (Lisa) of Baton Rouge; his sister, Frances Lynch Van Zant of Jackson; 10 grandchildren; Rachel Turner Wilkins (Lloyd) of Jackson; William Frederick Lynch, IV of Jackson; Ryan Walker Lynch of Jackson; Grady Wilson Lynch (Rachael) of Ridgeland; Amanda Lynch Williams (Alan) of San Antonio, Texas; Mary Gwen Lynch Sagen (Scott) of New York City, New York; John Edgar Lynch, Jr. of New York City, New York; Betsy Lynch Hood (Stewart) of Jackson; William Cole Lynch of Jackson; Taylor Melissa Lynch of Morton; and 5 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 4 at 11:00 AM at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home at the Parkway Cemetery in Ridgeland. A memorial service will be held at noon following the visitation.

The family requests that memorials be sent to The 1848 Society – University of MS Medical Center in remembrance of William Frederick Lynch, III, or the charity of your choice.