William "Bill" Joesph Lynch
- 85 years old
- Male
- Born Apr 08, 1924
- Died Jan 23, 2010
- Shawnee, Kansas, United States
About
Poem By Kellsie Kenyon, Great-Granddaughter
The Day I Had to Say Goodbye
Written by Kellsie Elizabeth Kenyon, great granddaughter
The day I had to say goodbye,
Was the day I simply wanted to die.
All I could do was cry;
Cry and ask myself why.
This was something I wanted to deny,
This was just one truth I couldn’t apply.
But it’s time to stop being afraid,
It’s about time I learn how to pray.
There’s nothing in this world you could have me trade,
Because you and your memories will simply never fade,
That’s just a part of you that is forever here to stay.
Though, I still wish you could have stayed,
Because it causes me so much pain;
That will be something that will forever remain.
So let me tell you this,
You are who I will hurtfully miss,
But there’s something of you that still exists,
So let us reminisce.
Just listen to what I have to say below;
Remember that time in the snow?
And how it went by oh so very slow.
But never did you know,
That it would be so.
Never the less, I found your ring,
But never did I know,
What else I could bring;
A face with so much glow,
With eyes that just glistened,
I remember how I always just listened.
Story after story,
And how it brought you an everlasting glory.
This will be something I’ll never forget,
Though it still makes me upset,
I know you lived your life without any regret,
Which allows me to never fret,
Even if it is the hardest thing yet.
Honoring The Life of an Amazing Man
Bill Lynch, of Shawnee, KS, passed away January 23, 2010, at his home, with his wife nearby. Visitation celebrating Bill’s life will be held at Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203 on Thursday, January 28th from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, you may honor Bill's memory with a donation to the American Diabetes Association. Bill was born April 8, 1924, in Kansas City, MO, the son of Frank Owen and Ruth Kell Lynch. Bill served as a 1st Lieutenant in WWII in the US Army Air Forces 385th BG as a co-pilot on a B-17 bomber. He earned a B.S. in Business from the University of Kansas in 1950. Bill retired from the Atomic Energy Commission in 1978. His life accomplishments were colorful and numerous. Bill is probably most well known for building his own open cockpit biplane in his home garage, which he went on to fly for many years. Bill had many adventurous flights, including two flights to Alaska. He even appeared on the Art Linkletter Show. Bill’s award winning landscaping has been enjoyed by so many over the years. Bill and Janice traveled all over the United States including Alaska and Canada together. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Frank Owen Jr., John Paul and James and his sisters Mary Louise and Jane. Survivors include his wife and soul-mate of 60 years, Janice; his daughter, Cheryl; his granddaughters Kimberly and her husband Scott Kenyon and Catherine Coon; his great-grandchildren Mande and her husband David Onwiler, Kellsie, Cassondra, Christen, Tyler, Catie and Christopher; his great-great-grandchildren Mackenzie and Skylar; his brothers Thomas and Robert and his sister Helen and their families. Bill will be fondly remembered for his love of the outdoors, flying, and his unwavering love for his family. Bill truly never knew a stranger, whether you were a neighbor or an acquaintance at a restaurant or store, Bill went out of his way to get to know you. Bill has been such an inspiration to so many and has touched so many lives. Everyone who saw just even a glimpse of Bill and Janice together knew their love for one another was out of this world. Bill and Janice are the textbook definition everlasting love. The impact he has made on his wife, children and grandchildren cannot be put into words. He was admired by everyone he met and will be greatly missed. You may send a message to the family via www.amosfamily.com or you may share your memories of Bill at http://en.respectance.com/williamlynch
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Thoughts on an uncomman man
Irene Lynch Feb 07, 2010
He had this wonderful quality of wanting to learn new things. And what he did create was so beautiful!
We will all miss him so much!
Irene Lynch
I Remember by Robert Lynch
Bob Lynch Jan 31, 2010
I Remember
I remember that it was in the middle of the summer of 1944. My eldest brother Paul was home on furlough. Because of the weather I was sleeping outside and was not in the habit of getting up until about nine or nine thirty. However, this particular morning I was awakened suddenly at about six-thirty by my mother. “Come on, get up” she said, “Bill’s been reported missing in action.”
I remember that she wasn’t crying, although she might have been before she woke me up.
I remember that when I went upstairs to dress I kept wondering if I really had heard what I thought I had heard. I was very sleepy and I could hardly keep my eyes open; I was very confused.
I remember that after breakfast (and after my fears had been confirmed) I went to a bicycle shop to get a part for my bike. I wasn’t crying, but I thought that I might at any minute. All the way there whenever I saw anybody, whether I knew them or not, I kept saying to myself, :Look at me, I bet you don’t know my brother is missing in action. But I couldn’t believe that he was dead: Bill who was so alive; Bill, who was so full of personality; Bill who was so deserving of life. I know Bill, and Bill couldn’t be dead.
I remember Paul who just lay on the swing most of the day and said nothing. About four-thirty he borrowed a car and went to pick up my father who was at work. Father didn’t know anything about it yet. I was very glad I wasn’t Paul.
I remember that when my father got home I was in the kitchen. He came in crying very bitterly. I never want to see a man cry like that again.
I remember that a day or so later a few friends of mine asked me to go to a ball game with them. I felt that I had to do something to relieve the tension; so I decided to go.
I remember that I couldn’t tell them about it. It was the strangest feeling but I just couldn’t tell them.
I remember that before the game started they played “The Star Spangled Banner”. I just couldn’t keep a few tears from rolling down my cheeks, but no one saw.
But through all of this I could not believe that Bill was really dead. I guess that this is a natural reaction when someone who is close to you dies but when the person is not there lying in front of you the feeling is much stronger.
I remember that when a few weeks later I learned that he was safe in a neutral country I was down playing with a friend of mine in a yard back of ours. My mother called down to me from our back porch. I was not the least bit surprised - as if I had always expected it. At first, because of this, I did not show any sign of joy but after a moment I thought that I had better do so or it might seem strange.
There were undoubtedly many people who had a brother, husband, or father reported missing in action who felt the same way as I did but who didn’t yet get that second telegram. But for me it had to come because I know Bill, and Bill wasn’t dead.
R. Lynch, summer, 1949
P Carter memories
Paul Carter Jan 28, 2010
Bill flying the biplane up to Edmonton in 1988. Chinup contests. Spending a week helping us work on our house. Taking son Michael and friend Edgar up in the plane. He and my brother Bill installed wiring on the whole second floor. Family walks down McKinnon Ravine. Doing it again on the return trip from back from Alaska.
Phoning Bill in 1991 on the first day of the air war in Iraq and asking him what it was like, flying into the anti-aircraft fire.
Summer 1995 visit of Viv and I with Hota, our 130 pound puppy. 105F temperatures. Going to the Steamboat Arabia exhibit. Listening to stories of his 3rd mission, B-17 being shot up on June 21, 1944 and restarting one engine and limping across Germany to Sweden. "It ruined me for life".
Lots more memories and too many to write down.