Junior Rasmussen
Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman were two university students who got married in a fairytale wedding at a ranch in Texas. The couple were killed in a helicopter crash just hours after their wedding. The pilot of the helicopter, Gerald Douglas Lawrence, was also killed in the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the accident involving a Bell 206B helicopter, but the cause of the crash remains unknown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Couple's Names | Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman |
| Age | Both 23 |
| University | Sam Houston State University |
| Course | Agriculture Engineering (Will Byler) and Agricultural Communication (Bailee Ackerman) |
| Wedding Date | November 3, 2018 |
| Wedding Venue | Byler's family ranch in Uvalde, Texas |
| Helicopter Owner | Byler's family |
| Pilot | Gerald Douglas Lawrence |
| Cause of Crash | Under investigation |
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What You'll Learn
Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman's helicopter crash
On November 3, 2018, Texas newlyweds Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman were killed in a helicopter crash just 90 minutes after their wedding. The Bell 206B helicopter crashed into a rocky hillside in Uvalde County, Texas, about a mile from the Byler family ranch, where the wedding took place. The pilot, 76-year-old Gerald Douglas Lawrence, was also killed in the crash.
The couple had been surrounded by family and friends as they flew off in the family helicopter from their wedding reception. A wedding guest captured footage of the couple's departure on board the doomed aircraft. The helicopter was owned by Byler's father but was being piloted by Lawrence, a trusted family friend and a captain in the army who fought in Vietnam.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration. NTSB officials said the helicopter was in the air for just five to ten minutes before it crashed, and the wreckage was strewn across the hillside in rugged terrain about 80 miles west of San Antonio.
Friends and family of the couple, who were both 23-year-old seniors at Sam Houston State University, paid tribute to the beloved couple, who were described as having "kind hearts". Ackerman's maid of honor, Jessica Stilley, expressed her grief on Facebook, saying, "My sweet Bailee Raye, my heart is broken in a million little pieces as I sit here and think of the rest of my life without my best friend."
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The investigation into the crash
The helicopter, a Bell 206B, was owned by the Byler family and Lawrence had been a pilot for the family for years. The aircraft went down on Saturday at the Byler family ranch in Uvalde County, Texas, just 90 minutes after the wedding. It had been in the air for only five to ten minutes and crashed into a rocky hillside about a mile from the ranch, 15 miles northwest of Uvalde, and 80 miles west of San Antonio.
The cause of the crash is still unknown. Craig Hatch, an air safety investigator with the NTSB, has said that it is too early to determine the cause, but a preliminary report will be issued in about two weeks.
The couple's friend, Eric Smith, posted on Facebook: "We celebrated their fairy tale wedding and they were surrounded by their family and friends as they flew off in the family helicopter. Sadly, they crashed into the side of a hill about a mile from the family ranch."
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Tributes from friends and family
Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman were remembered by their friends and family as a couple with "kind hearts". The newlyweds were killed in a helicopter crash just hours after their wedding.
The bride's maid of honour, Jessica Stilley, took to Facebook to express her grief: "My sweet Bailee Raye, my heart is broken in a million little pieces as I sit here and think of the rest of my life without my best friend. These two spent their last day on earth celebrating with their most cherished loved ones – I believe it truly was the best day of their lives."
Another friend of the couple, Madi Wagner, shared similar sentiments: "I am having a hard time comprehending this whole situation, but I have not once asked why. These two spent their last day on this earth celebrating with their most cherished loved ones – I believe it truly was the best day of their lives."
David Eller, student body president at Sam Houston State University, where the couple were students, released a moving statement on Facebook: "These two individuals made a huge impact and will always be remembered by their kind hearts."
The university's rodeo team also shared their condolences on Facebook, while the student newspaper, The Houstonian, wrote: "It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the tragic passing of two Bearkats Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman Byler in a helicopter accident departing their wedding."
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The funeral service
The second service and burial were held the following day, Friday, November 9, in Bellville, Texas. The funeral services were a time for loved ones to come together and mourn the loss of the newlyweds, who were described as having "kind hearts" and leaving a "huge impact" on those around them.
The bride's maid of honour, Jessica Stilley, expressed her grief on Facebook: "My sweet Bailee Raye, my heart is broken in a million little pieces as I sit here and think of the rest of my life without my best friend. These two spent their last day on this earth celebrating with their most cherished loved ones – I believe it truly was the best day of their lives."
The pilot of the helicopter, Gerald Douglas Lawrence, a trusted family friend, also lost his life in the crash. The cause of the accident was under investigation by authorities, who were working to determine the factors that led to the tragic incident.
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The couple's time at Sam Houston State University
Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman were students at Sam Houston State University. They were both seniors, studying agriculture engineering and agricultural communication, respectively. The couple, who grew up together, were frequently photographed together at rodeo shows.
The Sam Houston State University Rodeo Team shared their condolences on Facebook following the tragic deaths of the couple. The student newspaper, the Houstonian, also paid tribute to the couple, saying:
> "It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the tragic passing of two Bearkats Will Byler (Agriculture Engineering senior) and Bailee Ackerman Byler (Agricultural Communication senior) in a helicopter accident departing their wedding."
David Eller, the student body president at Sam Houston State University, released a statement on Facebook, saying:
> "These two individuals made a huge impact and will always be remembered by their kind hearts."
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Frequently asked questions
Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman were killed in a helicopter crash after leaving their wedding.
No, the pilot, Gerald Douglas Lawrence, was also killed in the crash.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The helicopter crashed in Uvalde County, Texas, about 80 miles west of San Antonio.
