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BORN
1935
DIED
2015
William Lynn Obituary
2/12/1935 - 5/3/2015
William died from a long decline due to Alzheimer's on May 3, 2015 at the age of 80 years old. Bill was the beloved husband of Marla (McDonald), and father to his children Kelly Lynn, Kirsten Yankish and Jon Conrad Lynn and stepfather to Herbert E. Bowen IV. He is survived by his grandchildren Rose and William McLean, and Keegan and Dylan Lynn. He is predeceased by his father and mother William and Kathleen Lynn, his brother Robert Lynn, and Marla's parents Mack and Fran McDonald. Bill was born on 2/12/1935 to William and Kathleen (Hendren) Lynn in Detroit, Michigan. After high school he graduated from San Jose State University with Bachelors in Art. He graduated a four year ROTC program in college and became a Captain in the United States Air Force. He entered the career of Fighter Pilot earning rewards and recognition of First Lieutenant flying F-100 at Williams Air Force Base Arizona in 1960. Marla's dad Mack McDonald was Bill's flight instructor in the T-33 Trainer Fighter Jet. He was also stationed in Libya for 6 months training. In 1964, he was stationed in the Royal Air Force base in Mildenhall, England and Lakenheath, England flying the F-100. He continued his military career until 1966 at which time he entered the field of Commercial Pilot flying for Western airlines. Western later merged into Delta Airlines and he continued his career earning his Captain's Bars. He retired from his flying career in 1995 with full honors. Bill was an active member of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and took his beliefs to the people. He supported a Vietnamese family, their kids and grandkids as well as extending a helping hand to the Indian children in need on the reservation. Bill was a loving generous man who will be deeply missed by his friends, family, relatives and colleagues. We will celebrate Bill's life with a gathering at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church on June 18th, 2015 at 2pm located at 950 Santa Cruz Ave. Menlo Park, CA 94025. If you would like to offer condolences to Bill's family, or share memories please send to 1586 Harbor Blvd. Belmont, CA. Also family pictures are posted privately on [email protected].To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Lynn
Phil Johannes
August 6, 2015
I flew with Bill a lot when I was an F/O on the '27. He was the best and will be sorely missed.
Phil Johannes
Henry
June 18, 2015
Am proud to have the same last name as MrBill. Good sendoff to him at the service with the pictures and movie.
Angela Brint-Schieffer
May 26, 2015
Although Bill was my second cousin, first cousin to Sharon my mother he will always be my "Uncle Bill" the man with a smile that lit up the whole room.
Rest in peace Uncle Bill.
Bill Rand
May 26, 2015
Enjoyed flying with Bill. A real gent, and a pleasure to work with.
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Vern Wood
May 25, 2015
Bill was always great to be around, on the ground or in the air. He always made the flight a good one with his good cheer and happy smile.
May 25, 2015
Marla,
My retirement picture from WAL has 3 cartoon charters that bill did on the border.
One of the Wally Bird, one of a happy lion,
and third one at the top Yosemite Sam,
known for his displays of frustration.
I will treasure it always and I think it may be the only one Bill displayed his talent for art work, He was always a great class mate and fellow pilot. I think of him every time I look at the picture in my den.
One of our finest for sure.
Our condolences to you and the children, and Bill's extended family.
Dick and Nadya Curtis
May 25, 2015
Sorry to read of Bills passing . Real gentleman , meet when we both started at the SFO base and had many good times together . Jack Bauer
Jerome Klein
May 25, 2015
An intelligent and gentle man with whom it was always pleasant to share the cockpit.
Jerry Klein, WAL/DELTA Ret. June, 1988
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