William Lyon

1945 - 2017

William Clayton Lyon, M.D.

Jan 20, 1945 - March 1, 2017

William "Bill" Clayton Lyon, M.D., passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family and friends in his home in Kensington. Dr. Lyon, son of Dr. Clayton and Mrs. Elva Lyon, was a native San Franciscan and lifelong resident of the Bay Area. Bill often joked that he left home to attend UC Berkeley, where he obtained his undergraduate degree, then traveled to UCSF for medical school. Bill established a practice in orthopedics, a specialty that suited and satisfied him greatly for more than forty years. Affiliated with Doctors Hospital in Pinole, Brookside Hospital (subsequently Doctors) in San Pablo, and Alta Bates in Berkeley, Bill was known and beloved as a caring, accomplished surgeon and respected colleague, who had a gift for making his patients feel at ease. He was still practicing when he received a diagnosis of lymphoma in 2015, which required him to retire.
Bill was a deeply loving, devoted husband and a gentle, kind, and supportive father and stepfather. He delighted in outdoor fun adventures with family and friends, such as skiing, backpacking, bicycling, and scuba diving. He found further joy in creating lasting objects of beauty through his interests in photography and woodworking. An avid fly fisherman, Bill was in his element in the Sierras or on the Fall River catching trout and immersing himself in nature. As a youth, Bill was an Eagle Scout, and he maintained his friendships from scouting throughout his life. He relished summers at the UC Lair of the Bear family camp both as a child and as a father, and was always a passionate, loyal Cal Bears fan, cheering on Cal football and basketball teams.
All those who knew Bill will greatly miss his presence. His bright, welcoming smile; his generosity, graciousness, and steadfastness; his keen sense of humor; his cheerful good nature; and his positive outlook on life will be with us always.
Bill is survived by his wife, Suzanne (Sue) Haas-Lyon; his son, Ben, and stepchildren, Shane and Nadia; his sister, Sheila Denham; his nieces and nephews; and his former spouse, Beverly Lyon. A private celebration of life will be held for family and friends. Donations in Bill's honor can be made to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society.