William Lynn, 77, of Huntsville passed away Thursday. “Bill” as he was known to friends and family was born in West Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Iowa State University were he took ROTC and was a letter winner for the school track team. He graduated in 1963 and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. He served for 22 years during which he received 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Overseas Service Medals, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Medal, Unit Citation and Army Achievement Medal. During his service, he spent time in Vietnam, Kwajalein, Germany, Key West and Fort Knox. In Vietnam, he was Commander of the 588th Maintenance Company. He was especially proud and grateful that he never lost a soldier under his command. During his time in Kwajalein, he was recognized and named Kwaj’s “Johnny Appleseed” for his part in planting over 700 trees around the island in hopes of leaving it a better place. He was also an avid scuba diver while stationed there and logged over 3000 dives many of which were to the sunken ships around the island from WWII. After retiring from the military, he completed his Master’s Degree from Florida Institute of Technology and worked for various defense companies including Boeing where he retired in 2013. In conjunction with his defense work, he became a Doctoral Candidate and worked part time for over 12 years as an Adjunct Professor for Columbia Southern University teaching International Business through which he was able to return to Vietnam as a University Professor, 40 years after his tour during the Vietnam War.
He was a proud family man and loved to brag about his four children. He also enjoyed collecting antiques, classic cars and fostering a large colony of Purple Martins in his backyard. He refereed soccer for over 30 years and served as an AHSAA Soccer Director for the Northeast District of Alabama. He was a Racquetball Instructor for the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He was a longstanding Mason and a member of Solar Lodge 914 in Huntsville as well as a member of the Northeast Alabama Antique Automobile Club. Throughout his life he enjoyed volunteering for various community organizations and was currently a Board Member for the Southeast YMCA. Having been an avid runner most of his life, he enjoyed attending races and even fired the starting gun for the Cotton Row Run for over 20 years as well as many other races.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Marjorie Lynn. Survivors include his wife, Teresa Lynn; sons Reserve Brigadier General Dr. Scott Lynn (Virginia) of Huntsville; Steve Lynn (Leslie) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Terry Lynn (Rebecca) of San Francisco, California; and daughter Emily Lynn of Huntsville; 11 grandchildren; sisters Kathryn Eidson of Connecticut; Laura Walsh of Alaska; and Wynell Martinez of California; and his beloved dogs and cats; Vladimir, Vasilisa, Maggie, Natasha, Aubie and Miley.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local chapter of Still Serving Veterans or the Southeast YMCA.
Burial will be at Alabama National Cemetery at a later date.
