By Hugh Clark
Billy Lyman was a crack homicide investigator and so much more.
Simply put, he was a fine, well-rounded policeman who maintained his refreshing, cool demeanor. He did not abuse anyone and was honest and reliable at all times.
We had almost daily interaction for years while he was in charge of Hilo’s patrol and I called at the headquarters as the snoopy reporter. These two roles often can be contentious. They never were with Billy who I came to rely upon and trust implicitly because he had no capacity for lying.
We both retired and saw each other far less frequently in more recent years but each time I could depend on his warm hello and engaging smile. We last bumped each into each other at a hardware store last month and I noted to myself just how little my old police friend had changed over time.
Billy was so much like that “good cop” your parents or aunties painted for you while you were growing up -– a nice, helpful guy who is your friend. What a lasting legacy.
I shall miss him, his warmth and smile, as I know all of his family shall.
January 26th, 2013 at 2:09 pm
When I learned that Billy had died, I thought where will they hold the funeral , Afook Chinen? There is no place in Hilo for all his friends and admirors. It was held this morning at Hail I Congregational and the line was long. The whole community will truly miss him.
January 28th, 2013 at 2:57 pm
very well written story
January 29th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
I knew Billy, and will miss him. What I will remember best about him was his saving the life of a driver who went off the road on Kaumana Drive and whose car burst into flames. Happened directly in front of the house I was living in at the time. Kaumana Fire Station is about two blocks makai of where it happened, but it took them some time to respond. In the meanwhile I was out there with a neighbor, both of us trying to get the driver out of the car. We weren’t having much luck, but Billy just happened to drive by. He jumped out of his car, got in
the back seat of the vehicle, and literally pulled the unconscious driver over the front seats into the back, where we able to get him out. Fire Dept arrived shortly after that, but by then the interior of the car was completely engulfed. Once he saw everything was under control Billy got back in his car to continue his errand. He was a true hero, modest but brave!