Lyn Baxter, III

Lyn Baxter III, known to the world as Billy Lyn Baxter, passed away in his sleep on Monday, December 2, 2013, after a valiant battle with cancer. Billy is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Melissa Bell Baxter, and three devoted sons, along with their families: Billy, wife Angie, son Tanner, and daughter Sydney; Brandon and son Landen; and Brad, wife Patricia, and daughters Lauren and Courtney. Billy is also survived by his mother, Loraine Baxter, three brothers, seven sisters, their families, his in-laws, Marilyn and Babe Peters, four sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law. Further, he has 13 foreign exchange student sons, all celebrating his life. Billy was predeceased by his father, Lynn, and his brother, Donnie. Billy was a friend to all. Those words seem trite, but if you ever met him, you would most certainly agree. The Baxter family hosted exchange students from Europe and Asia and maintained close contact with them through the years. Billy made a tremendous impact on those boys' lives. One said of him "He cared about everyone of us and, despite his pain, he never forgot to laugh, to smile and be delighted by the small things in life." That same "son" took Billy on the adventure of his life climbing the Chacchoben Mayan ruins in Mexico. Billy first saw Melissa on December 3, 1974. The story of their meeting is priceless. PFC Baxter was the company clerk of the 142nd Signal Bn, 2nd Armored Division at Ft. Hood, Texas when PVT Melissa Bell walked into the orderly room to sign into the unit. Baxter turned to his best friend, PFC Mellendorf, and said that that young lady was beautiful and he would marry her. Less than three months later on Valentine's Day -- they were married, PFC Mellendorf standing as best man. Life wasn't always easy for the Baxters, but they always pulled together as a family and things worked out for them. Billy was loved by his church family at Baptist Temple. He cherished the countless memories of taking youth groups on camping trips. Many of those now-adult participants will join the family in a commemorative trek to Lost Maples, Billy's favorite place to escape life's burdens.