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Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman were two newlyweds who tragically died in a helicopter crash on their wedding day. The couple had been married for only 90 minutes when the helicopter went down at the Byler family ranch in Uvalde, Texas. The wedding website for the couple, hosted on The Knot, featured engagement photos and confirmed the details of the wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Couple's Names | Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman Byler |
| Date of Wedding | November 3, 2018 |
| Location of Wedding | Byler family ranch, Uvalde, Texas |
| Date of Crash | November 4, 2018 |
| Time of Crash | 1:47 a.m. |
| Location of Crash | Uvalde County, Texas |
| Helicopter Type | Bell 206B |
| Pilot's Name | Gerald Douglas Lawrence |
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What You'll Learn
Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman's wedding details
Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman's wedding took place on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at the Byler family ranch in Uvalde, Texas. The couple, both seniors at Sam Houston State University, were surrounded by family and friends as they exchanged vows and flew off in a helicopter from the family ranch.
The bride, Bailee Ackerman Byler, was from Orangefield and a graduate of Orangefield High School. She met her future husband, Will, at Sam Houston State University, where they were both seniors, studying Agricultural Communication and Agriculture Engineering, respectively.
The wedding was described by guests as "magical" and "the most beautiful wedding". The happy couple was all smiles as they celebrated their special day with their loved ones. The wedding ceremony and reception took place at the Byler family ranch, with the couple flying off in their helicopter shortly after.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck just 90 minutes after the wedding. The newlyweds, Will and Bailee Byler, and their helicopter pilot, Gerald Douglas Lawrence, were killed in a crash about 15 miles northwest of Uvalde. The National Transportation Safety Board, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration, investigated the accident involving a Bell 206B helicopter.
The funeral services and burial for the couple were held at Turning Point Church in Vidor, with a second service taking place in Bellville. Mourners remembered the couple's joyous wedding and the happiness they shared on their special day.
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The couple's tragic death
Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman were killed in a helicopter crash shortly after their wedding. The couple had been married for about 90 minutes and were flying to the airport to begin their honeymoon when the Bell 206B helicopter went down at the Byler family ranch in Uvalde, Texas. The aircraft's pilot, 76-year-old Gerald Douglas Lawrence, was also killed in the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration, is investigating the accident. The helicopter crashed into a 400-foot hill about 10 miles northeast of Uvalde, or about 15 miles northwest of the city, according to NTSB information.
Both seniors at Sam Houston State University, Byler and Ackerman were 24 years old. They met at the university and were surrounded by family and friends as they flew off in the family helicopter. Hundreds gathered for their funeral at Turning Point Church in Vidor, Texas, and a second service and burial took place in Bellville.
Mourners remembered the couple's wedding as a magical event and the best day of their lives. One guest wrote on Instagram, "How awesome to spend your honeymoon with Jesus. Mr. & Mrs. Byler will join our Jesus in heaven and have the most abundant marriage with no troubles, no temptation, no worries."
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Funeral services
The first of two joint visitation and funeral services for Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman Byler was held at Turning Point Church in Vidor, Texas, on Thursday, November 8, 2018. So many people attended that attendees were forced to park in the open field behind the church. Mourners exchanged hugs as they walked past the two hearses that brought the bodies to the church.
The second service and burial took place on Friday, November 9, 2018, in Bellville United Methodist, Texas.
The couple, both 24, died in a helicopter crash on their way to the airport to start their honeymoon. The aircraft went down at the Byler family ranch in Uvalde, Texas, about 85 miles west of San Antonio, on Saturday, November 3, 2018, just 90 minutes after their wedding. The pilot, 76-year-old Gerald Douglas Lawrence, was also killed.
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Tributes and condolences
The tragic and untimely death of newlyweds Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman shocked their families, friends, and the Sam Houston State University community. The couple was killed in a helicopter crash shortly after their wedding, along with the pilot, Gerald Douglas Lawrence. As tributes and condolences poured in, people remembered the magical wedding and the happiness that the couple brought to those around them.
Darian Milam, a friend, shared on social media, "When she met Will, he stole her heart and turned her world around. Last night was the most magical wedding I have ever witnessed, and I am so blessed to have gotten to celebrate Bailee and Will's beautiful wedding with them." Another friend, Madi Wagner, shared similar sentiments, reflecting on the joy of their wedding day and expressing sadness over the tragic news.
On Instagram, @charlieharrell7 wrote, "A beautiful soul, the warmest smile, with the kindest heart. I was blessed to have known you. & now to only cherish the memories. Prayers sent to @BaileeAckerman2 family & the Bylers family." Caroline Flippin, a wedding guest, shared photos on Instagram, captioning them, "How awesome to spend your honeymoon with Jesus."
Hundreds gathered at Turning Point Church in Vidor for the visitation and funeral service, with mourners exchanging hugs and supporting each other through this difficult time. The National Transportation Safety Board, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration, is investigating the crash.
The outpouring of love and support for the families of Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman during this heartbreaking time has been a testament to the impact they had on those around them.
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Photos from the wedding
The wedding website for Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman features photos of the happy couple, including engagement photos of Byler in his cowboy hat embracing Ackerman. The site also includes photos from their wedding day, taken by Madi Wagner, showing the newlyweds celebrating with their loved ones.
In one photo, Bailee Byler is seen snuggled up next to her husband, and in another, the couple is pictured flying off in the family helicopter, surrounded by well-wishers.
Friends and family also shared photos from the wedding on social media, remembering the happy occasion and paying tribute to the couple. Bailee's bridesmaids shared pictures taken moments before she walked down the aisle, recalling her as the "most beautiful bride". Another guest, Caroline Flippin, captioned a series of Instagram photos from the wedding: "How awesome to spend your honeymoon with Jesus".
The couple's wedding portal on the planning website The Knot also featured images from the day, with guests describing the nuptials as magical.
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Frequently asked questions
Tragically, the newlywed couple died in a helicopter crash shortly after their wedding.
The helicopter crashed in Uvalde County, Texas, about 10 miles northeast of Uvalde.
The helicopter pilot, 76-year-old Gerald Douglas Lawrence, also lost his life in the crash.
The crash took place in the early morning of Sunday, November 4, 2018, about 90 minutes after the wedding.
Both Will Byler and Bailee Ackerman were 24-year-old seniors at Sam Houston State University.
