Abraham Lincoln “Linc” Snyder, 89, of Lexington Park died Feb. 7, 2013, at Hospice House of St. Mary’s.

He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was a veteran of World War II and was a talented master carpenter and musician.

He was born in 1923 in Queen Shoals, W.Va., the fourth child of the late Henry B. and Daisy White Snyder, and grew up along the banks of the Elk River during the Great Depression. He entered the U.S. Army in 1943 and served in the European theater of operations, rising to the rank of sergeant assigned to the 83rd Infantry Division. He was caught in the Siege of Bastogne at the famous Battle of the Bulge during the winter of 1944. His experience during this hard-fought battle formed the basis for his enduring sense of commitment to his community and his country.

After his service, he returned to West Virginia, where he married Helen Frances “Fannie” Crouse of Gauley Mountain, W.Va., and began his career as a carpenter. During these same years, he also discovered his love for playing guitar and singing, and he bought his first Gibson guitar.

In the early 1960s, he and his wife and a son transferred to Indian Head, where he worked at the Naval Ordnance Station as a civil service employee, making Charles County his home. Shortly thereafter, his daughter was born. In the late 1970s, he transferred to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C. He made many friends along the way and retired after more than 30 years of government civil service.

He was preceded in death by his wife, who died in 1996. He is survived by his son, Jay Snyder; daughter, Daisie Register; and grandsons, Russell Wagoner and Lucas Snyder.

Enjoying retirement but eager to serve his community, he put his carpentry skills to use in La Plata at Civista Medical Center, where he met like-hearted musicians, and they eventually formed a band, The Bluegrass Gospel Express. He began to live his dream — often playing the same Gibson guitar — and sharing music and fellowship around the community. The Gospel Express has shared music at many St. Mary’s County locations, including the old Leonardtown Ice Cream Parlor/Theater and Lil’ Margaret’s Bluegrass Festival.

In 2000, he married Deanna “Dee” Kramer. Together they enjoyed 12 years of family, friends and joyful fellowship. He often spent his time with musical friends, offering fellowship and fishing with his buddies Jack or Cliff. Along with the great joy his wife brought to his life, he also gained two lovely daughters, Stephanie Kurtz and Kris Foley; and two more grandsons, Ben and Will.

After suffering congestive heart failure, he is now home with many loved ones that have gone on before, among them his brothers, Conard, Daniel and Howard of West Virginia and Henry of Maryland; and sister, Daisy, who died as a toddler.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, he is survived by nephews, Jim, John, George and Bradley of West Virginia and Peter of Baltimore; his musical brethren from The Gospel Express, Erin Dean Tennyson; and numerous other music buddies; along with family and many friends.

The family received friends and prayers were said Feb. 11 at Brinsfield Funeral Home in Leonardtown. A funeral service was held Feb. 12 at Hollywood United Methodist Church in Hollywood. Interment followed at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675; or Hospice House of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.