William D. Tyra III
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William D. Tyra, III, Col.,  USMC (Ret.), nickname  “Jato”, age 58, of Trumbull,  passed away on Friday, January 29, 2010 in St. Vincent Medical Center. Born on December 20, 1951 in Pasadena, TX, he was a son of Mary Jane Stanton Tyra  of  San Antonio, TX, and the late William D. Tyra, Jr.   He was currently a Pilot for American Airlines and previously served as Senior Vice President of the Western CT Military Officers Association.    Col. Tyra was a member of the Board of Directors of CT Center for Patient Safety, a cause that was close to his heart. Serving 26 years in the USMC , he was a C-130 Pilot, Squadron  Commander of the VMGR 152 in Okinawa,  Japan, and was Group Commander of Marine Air Group 41 in Fort Worth, TX, from which he retired. He enjoyed running, flying and boating, and was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys as well as a big supporter of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.   Col. Tyra is survived by his beloved wife of  34 years,  Barbara Provenzano Tyra,  his cherished daughter, Ashley Tyra,  two brothers, Michael Tyra of TX, and Marty Tyra of WA, and a sister, Mary Rose of San Antonio, TX. He was predeceased by his daughter, Katie Tyra. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 9 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull and at 10 a.m.  in St.  Catherine of Siena Church, Trumbull, for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Friends may call on Monday, February 1, 2010 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the CT Center for Patient Safety, P.O. Box 231335, Hartford, CT. For more information or to light a virtual candle, please visit us at www.abriola.com..



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Published in The Hour from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, 2010.
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24 entries
February 8, 2011
Simply the best CO, I have the honor to serve with as a Marine. May God bless him and his family always
Javier Santiago
June 7, 2010
Bill was the first person I met at Wiesbaden High School. I remember Bill as an out going guy who gave his all as runner on the cross country team. I have talked to him several times on the phone and wanted to meet with him and sorry I did not get the chance. I am saddened by his passing away and hope this message will comfort his family. Wiesbaden was a special time for me and I will always remember him as a Wiesbaden friend. Keep running Bill I will miss you and remember the great times going down town and having a bier. Your friend mike
mike stallings
March 1, 2010
OMG! - I used to run with the Colonel at 253 and 152 - this is a tragic loss.
Bernie Ellis
February 28, 2010
Barbra & Ashley

I had the honor serving as Col Tyra's personnel chief for almost 2 years while asisgned to VMGR-152. I agree with others that Col Tyra was the finest Squadron CO of the entire Marine Corps. He inspired all his Marines to excel. He also supported his Marines, especially in improving the quality of life while on Okinawa or while on deployments throughtout Asia. He was man of great loyalty and honor. When he asked you a question he did not want the typical answer Marines normally gave, he wanted the truth. He loved family (wife and children) flying, & Dallas Cowboys, and he was not ashamed or embarrassed in letting everyone know that. His example has encouraged me to carry on those lessons taught by the Col. It was shocking to hear about his passing, but, I know that he is with our Savior and that we will be seeing him again some day.
God Bless Col Tyra and his family.

Semper Fi

Chuck Binkerd
SSGT Ret)
Chuck Binkerd
February 19, 2010
To the Tyra family,

I was a warm fine Saturday afternoon in 1992, when a few friends of mine went to do some swimming. Well as you know Okinawa is a great place for that. Going down the cliff to the water, I slipped on the coral and cut my leg very badly. On the way to the Hospital on Camp Foster, I passed out, and when I woke up, I was shocked and scared to see the man in front of my bed. As I lay thier, I could see the deep hurt that one of his Marines was cut up and had stiches. As I looked up at him, All I could do was to praise God that I had one of the finest, wonderful, compassionite Squadron CO's the Marines EVER had. Since that day, I have tried to be at least 10% of the man Bill Tyra was. While I cant help you get over his loss, I can say, Myself and EVERY other Marine that knew him, Officer's and Enlisted will miss him so.

Via Con Dios JATO, Happy Landings
Albert Hall
February 4, 2010

Barbara:

No regreats. You were always there for him. As a Marines'wife you
made him proud.
He was a great husband & Dad.
Kitie took him by the hand & walked him HOME with her.
We will miss you Bill--honest to God.
Mom & Dad
February 3, 2010
I had the privilege of serving with Bill during his last command. I deeply respected, liked, and admired him. He was a great Marine Officer and a good man-a great leader possessed with a good sense of humor. My most sincere condolences to all of the family. Heaven will be a better place with him.
Semper Fidelis,
Thomas "Yoda" Rogers
February 3, 2010
Barbara,
All of the Health Net Mentors send their deepest sympathy. We mentored with Bill, and he will be missed, he was part of our Mentoring family! The memory of his loving and giving charactor will stay with us always,
The Health Net Mentor Team
The Health Net Mentor Team
February 3, 2010
Barbara,
My deepest sympathy for your loss. Clearly, your husband was a special man who made a significant difference during his years on earth. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Wamest regards,
Jennifer
Jennifer Stannard
February 3, 2010
Barbra and Ashley:
At times like these words escape me. The personal loss of your husband and father is shared by countless numbers of Marines and those that knew, worked for and with "Jato Bill". Like so many others Col Tyra gave me the chance to excell in my career and his
encouragement and support in my time of personal tragedy, when my Father passed away, will remain with me always. In my mind I can see both your husbands and your face as clear as if it were yesterday and will always cherish those times we came together so long ago. To say I was shocked by the suddenness of this is an understatement. This was just not supposed to play out this way. There has to be a master plan that God has for us and after the initial impact of your loss I can only hope that we all can continue to reminise about just who Bill Tyra was, and just why he came along at the time he did and how and why he made every person he ever came in contact with a better person. We will be praying for you and Ashley at your time of need and you will forever be in our thoughts. Col Bill Tyra will be sorely missed.
God bless and take care.

Ettore N. Dicandia, MGYSGT (Ret)
Ettore Dicandia
February 2, 2010
Barbara and Ashley:
Sarah and I are so sorry for the loss of Bill. He was one of the Finest Marine Officers that I have ever served with and he made a very profound difference in my Life.
It is a very sad time for the Marines who called him "Friend".
We are shocked by the suddeness of this Tragedy and are Praying for you and his Family.
God Bless you all.

Semper Fidelis,
JJ Sagul
February 2, 2010
God bless your family and Col Tyra, who served this great Country so galantly! RIP Devil Dog.

Semper Fi
Ana
February 2, 2010
Dear Barbara and Ashley,
It was with great sadness that Rita and I learned of Col Tyra's passing. As one of his students at 253, it was his example of dedication and demand of excellence that has served me well throughout my career. Our Corps is better for having such a leader. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Semper Fi,
Craig and Rita Williams
Craig Williams
February 1, 2010
Barbara & Ashley,
Jato Bill and I were Herk C-130 CO's at the same time. I can tell you that Bill was tremendously respected by all that knew and worked with him. He was stalwart in fighting for his troops, his squadron, and his family. All that knew him were touched by his loyalty to those in his care. The Corps was a better place for having him and he will be sorely missed. May God bless and console you in your loss.
Semper Fi,
Bruce & Cathy Bronars
Bruce Bronars
February 1, 2010
Barb and Ashley,
We are saddened by the news of Bill's passing. We have fond memories of you and Bill as our neighbors on Baggett Drive. We remember most the obvious love you had for each other and the joy you showed when you were with family and friends. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Jay & Nancy Badgley
February 1, 2010
Dear Barbara and Ashley
Bob and I were profoundly saddenned by the news of Bill's passing. Bill was larger than life- the most incredible Marine officer - and family man. Our prayers are with you both.
Mary Kay and Bob Bader
Mary Kay Bader
January 31, 2010
Mrs. Tyra and Ashley,

I am deeply sorry for your loss. Col. Tyra was a fine officer and good man. The world is now a lesser place than it was.

Semper Fidelis.

Paul Morgado
SSGT/USMC Ret.
January 31, 2010
Mrs. Tyra and Ashley,
Although I only had the privilege of serving with Bill for a short period of time, I deeply respected, liked, and admired him. He was a great Marine Officer and a good man. My most sincere condolences to both of you and all of the family. He will be missed.
Semper Fidelis,
Dub Day
January 31, 2010
Barbara and Ashley, our heartfelt prayers go out to you. Bill was a wonderful husband and father, and one of the best guys we knew. He will be missed! All our love, John and Darcy
Darcy Collins
January 31, 2010
For those of us who served with Bill in the Marine Corps his passing leaves us with the deepest sense of sadness. Bill was the consumate Marine Corps Officer and gentleman. He was a suberb pilot and someone whose loyalty you could always count on. He loved his family and his country more than anything. We will miss his big smile and great sense of humor.

Semper Fi Jato

Rich Driscoll
CWO-4 USMC (Ret)
Richard Driscoll
January 31, 2010
So many beutiful memories !The very first time Barbra and Bill were looking for a measuring tape to use in the New home in Riverside California and that started a life long friendship in which we saw each others kids grow up,Pinata parties,Birthdays,Holloween etc.Heaven just took one of the best Dads on earth and he is now an Angel.Manny and Terri Galvan.Our deepest sympathy to your whole family,Barbra.Love You
Manny&Terri Galvan
January 31, 2010
Barbara & Ashley...Our hearts are so deeply saddened by your loss! Bill was the most wonderful man. He will be missed greatly, but never, ever forgotten!!!
All our love! Brad & Nanci
Nanci Zibell
January 31, 2010
Bill was as close to our hearts as we were to his. All of us, at the CT Center for Patient Safety will miss him and continue his important advocacy. His energy, his intelligence, his determination were valued and allowed us to be more than we had been. To his family, thank you for sharing him during the last two years of a far too short life.
Jean Rexford
Jean Rexford
January 31, 2010
I am so sad to hear about Bill's passing. He was a wonderful man. My heart and prayers are with Barbara and Ashley.
Lorraine Wojchik
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