07/03/2026
More than 400 fallen warriors from Collin County. 115 honored through portraiture. One promise…they will never be forgotten
Monday, the Farmersville Heritage Museum was privileged to attend the unveiling of five new portraits in the Hall of Heroes at the Russell A. Steindam Courts Building in McKinney.
Collin County Judge Chris Hill welcomed veterans, family members, and guests, including the sister and brother-in-law of Medal of Honor recipient Russell A. Steindam, whose legacy continues to inspire all who enter the courthouse that proudly bears his name.
The North Texas Fallen Warrior Portrait Project was born from the shared vision of the late Ronnie “R.D.” Foster, a Vietnam veteran born in Farmersville and raised in McKinney, and fellow veteran and historical portraitist Colin Kimball. United by a shared commitment to ensure Collin County’s fallen would never be forgotten, they dedicated years to researching the lives and stories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. With the support of the Collin County Commissioners Court, their vision grew into the Hall of Heroes, where Colin’s remarkable digital portraiture gives a face to every story, preserving the legacy of each hero. Now, Colin continues their shared mission, creating new portraits, and preserving the stories of Collin County’s fallen for generations to come.
Monday, five more heroes were added to the Hall of Heroes:
🇺🇸 Captain John Meyers – Texas Rangers (Mexican War)
🇺🇸 Pharmacist Mate First Class Billy Bain-Honaker – United States Navy (World War II)
🇺🇸 Private First Class James Marlow Morgan – United States Marine Corps Reserve (World War II)
🇺🇸 Sergeant J.L. Montgomery – United States Army, 740th Tank Battalion (World War II)
🇺🇸 Second Lieutenant Lindsey L. Bowen – United States Army Air Forces (World War II)
For Farmersville, the ceremony carried special meaning.
Among those honored was Pharmacist Mate First Class Honaker, a 1935 Farmersville High School graduate and Senior Class Vice President. Pharmacist Mate First Class Honaker was from one of Farmersville’s longtime families whose legacy remains woven into our community through the historic Bain-Honaker House. He answered his nation’s call by enlisting in the United States Navy and was 24 years old when he was lost aboard the USS Jarvis during World War II.
Today, Pharmacist Mate First Class Honaker’s portrait is permanently preserved among his fellow Collin County heroes, ensuring future generations will know not only his name, but also his sacrifice.
Take a few minutes to listen to his remarkable story in the video.
A special request to our community…
Some Collin County fallen service members from World War II and earlier are known through historical records, but photographs have not yet been located in available archives. Families who may have images are encouraged to connect with the North Texas Fallen Warrior Portrait Project or the Farmersville Heritage Museum. Those photographs may help bring another hero’s story to life for future generations.
Judge Chris Hill
Farmersville High School
Farmersville Historical Society
Colin Kimball
