William "Billy" Alan Flynn

Long-haul truck driver, 66
William Alan "Billy" Flynn, 66, of Warrenton, died Wednesday, March 31, 2010, in Portland.

He was born Feb. 8, 1944, in Port Chester, N.Y., to William H. and Maggie L. (Reid) Flynn. He was raised in New York and South Carolina.

He enlisted into the U.S. Army and served from 1959 to 1961, then transferred into the U.S. Coast Guard.

On July 30, 1966, he married Patricia Ann Burch in Allendale, S.C. She survives, residing in Warrenton.

After serving in the Coast Guard, Mr. Flynn returned to South Carolina and became a long-haul truck driver, driving all over the U.S. for several years. In 1971, he moved to Montana and worked at various jobs, starting on a diary farm, then on an Angus Ranch in Lewistown, Mont. He went on to drive grain trucks and taxi cabs in Denton, Mont. In 1979, the family moved to Warrenton. He worked at the Montgomery Ward store, as a reserve police officer in Warrenton and on tug boats, such as the Salvage Chief, and with Campbell Towing Company at the same time. From 1984 to 1992, he was employed as a full-time police officer with the city of Warrenton. He decided to return to long-haul truck driving for a while, and worked at Larson Construction as a log-truck driver plus drove taxi cabs on the side.

Family members said he loved taking his children on shopping trips and wanted to buy everything for his family. His hobbies included watching National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, fishing and woodworking. He loved to cook and watch the cooking channels on TV and enjoyed country and Irish music.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, James and Jennifer Flynn of Willamina; a daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Tim Clark of Astoria; 11 grandchildren, J J, William and Austin Flynn of Willamina, Brandon Jepson of Bend, Andrew Jepson of Monmouth and Tim, Hayley, Lena, Sarah, Alisabeth and Jonathan Clark, all of Astoria; six sisters and three brothers-in-law, Patsy and Jimmy Terry and Darlene Cerra of Hampton, S.C., Frances Jarrell of Estill, S.C., Lisa Reid of Indiana, Alfreida and Don Frackel of Woodburn and Brenda and Hank Jones of Bend; a brother, Russell Wright of Beaverton; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 7 at Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary.

A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 8 at New Life Baptist Church, 490 Olney Ave. A reception will follow at the family home in Warrenton.

Memorial contributions may be given to a charity of one's choice, in care of Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103.

An online guest book can be signed at (www.caldwellsmortuary.com).