William Arnold Pyle

1942 - 2020

William Arnold (Bill) Pyle

Jackson - William Arnold (Bill) Pyle began his quest for knowledge in Jacksonville, Florida, on August 21, 1942. He moved with his family to Jackson at an early age after his father was discharged from the armed services. Bill had a long list of achievements, including the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts of America, and was subsequently selected for the Order of the Arrow, their honorary camping society. He played football at Murrah High School and completed college at the University of Mississippi during the tumultuous 1960s. After graduation, he continued to Vanderbilt University School of Law. After graduating in 1967, he then returned to Jackson to join his father's law practice. It was during this time that he achieved lifetime memberships into the prestigious high IQ societies of both Mensa and Intertel.

He became a trial attorney with eventual extensive experience in federal and state courts in Mississippi. He represented plaintiffs and defendants, including individuals, major corporations, and insurance companies.

After the unrest in 1970 at Jackson State University, he was appointed to Mayor Russell Davis's committee to investigate the violent response of the Jackson Police Department and the MS Highway Patrol. Mayor Davis later stated in his oral biography that he felt this committee "kept Jackson from burning to the ground."

He managed the statewide political campaign of William Winter for Lt. Governor as well a campaign for the United States House of Representatives. He also served as state finance chairman for the Mississippi Democratic Party and chairman of the legislative committee of the MS Bar Association.

Many of his services to civic organizations include president of the Jackson Jaycees, chairman of the Central Mississippi chapter of the American Red Cross, chairman of the Mississippi chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and regional vice president of the National Municipal League. He also assisted his late wife in founding Mississippi Blood Services, which is now the primary blood supplier in the state.

In his free time, Bill enjoyed playing tennis and golf and sailing in the Barnett Reservoir. As the years and health problems progressed, he became less mobile but was still able to care for his wife, Dee, as her Multiple Sclerosis progressed. In his last few years, he enjoyed the Saturday-morning company of the Walter Scott Coffee Club. He also looked forward to weekday evenings with his trivia team, which included brother Benjamin, niece Lindsey Loyacono Lee, and family friends Debbie Case, Marilyn Rose, and Phil Rose.

After suffering multiple health problems for many years, Bill Pyle passed away December 18, 2019. He was a kind, generous, intelligent man who lived to give back to the community. He was preceded in death by his parents, Judge Arnold and Elizabeth Pyle, and his wife, Dee Loyacono. He is survived by his brothers, Brad and Ben Pyle, niece Patricia Pyle, nephews Michael and Christopher Pyle, as well as fellow members of his beloved Central MS Trivia team, "Watson."

Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 25th, followed by a 3:00 pm Requiem Eucharist at St. Phillip's Episcopal Church, 5400 Old Canton Road, Jackson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be made to the Mississippi Chapter of the MS Society, or charity of your choice.