Lawrence Ballis Linville

Born in Seattle on May 18, 1945, to Eugenia and Budd Linville, Larry died at home on October 21, 2026, at age 81, after a nine-year battle with cancer. He practiced law for 51 years, including 34 alongside sons, David and Christian. He studied at UW and UCLA and received his JD from UW Law School. Larry served 4 years in the Navy as Supply officer onboard the USS Carpenter during the Vietnam war. He was an enthusiastic sportsman: golf (during HS, college & Navy), squash, and windsurfing. He climbed Mt Rainier in his 50s and learned to rollerblade at age 58, executing fancy maneuvers after studying on YouTube. He enjoyed playing classical music on the piano, especially Chopin. Larry was a gifted teacher. In seminars too numerous to count, he helped many young contractors learn about Construction Lien Laws and Contracts, captivating them with his humor! As a young dad Larry spun long, elaborate, multi-episode stories to his three children, David, Christian and Julia as they snuggled together at bedtime. Larry cherished trips with Jan, his wife and sweetheart of 55 years, always to Hawaii, the land where they met.

Christian says, “Practicing law was Dad’s calling. People came to him with their dilemmas and problems because he was so good at giving advice in any type of crisis imaginable. His advice was always 100% custom-tailored to the situation at hand. He would ask all the right questions, mull it over a little to get the whole picture, and then proceed to give the most creative, practical, right-on-the-money advice…with a dose of humor and optimism. Clients were mesmerized. Many learned critical life lessons from Dad, the ultimate counselor and negotiator.”

Julia says, “Dad was a recluse from society, unashamedly stating that he didn’t like people, while ironically lavishing over-the-top love, encouragement and generosity on those in his small circle. It is remarkable that the WA State Bar Association recognized Dad in 2025 for his 50 years of membership. But being who he was, he didn’t go to Olympia for the ceremony or honors.”

Larry is survived by his wife: Janice Linville; their children David (Yelena), Christian (Sutheera) and Julia Linville; Larry’s sisters: Jeanne Durban and Donna Jo Robinson; and 8 grandchildren: Nina, Kazu and Taiyo Nakajima…Adam and Mia Linville, Harris Rosenberg…and Leo and Levi Linville.

A memorial service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery on a date TBD, since Larry threw away his Navy honorable-discharge paperwork.

More important than all of the above is that Larry trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to the Union Gospel Mission.

- Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home -