The Rev. Wilson Nathaniel Pyron

The Reverend Wilson Nathaniel (Than) Pyron, Jr., of Creve Coeur, Missouri, passed away on July 30, 2024. As he wished, he died peacefully and with dignity and was in the company of his daughters and his close friend, a representative of the church.

Than was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, on May 1, 1943. Both Than and his fraternal twin brother, James Watson Pyron, were born two and a half months prematurely, and James died shortly after birth.

Than grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1961. He attended the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and Little Rock University (now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock) and graduated in 1965, majoring in Biology and minoring in English and Secondary Education.

Than married Suzanne Ruth Crockett on August 1, 1970. Later that year, they moved to Alexandria, Virginia, where Than enrolled in Virginia Theological Seminary, graduating in 1973. Than was ordained Deacon at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock by Bishop Cristoph Keller and later as Priest at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in El Dorado.

A lifelong servant, Father Than served many churches in many roles over his 50 year career, in both the Diocese of Missouri and the Diocese of Arkansas. After his official retirement in 2006, he continued to hold part-time positions in the Diocese of Missouri. His home church at the time of his death was St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Creve Coeur, Missouri.

Than was preceded in death by his parents, Wilson Nathaniel Pyron, Sr., and Kathryn Louise Griffin Pyron; his brothers James Watson Pyron and Michael Taylor Pyron; his partner Kenneth John Blecha; his former spouse Suzanne Crockett Kelley. Loving survivors include his daughter Mary Pyron Lawson, her husband Traveus Lawson, and their two children, Traveus Mason Lawson and Emma Madison Lawson; his daughter Stacy Pyron DeBartolo, her husband Evan DeBartolo, and their son, Robert Nathaniel (Bear) DeBartolo; his sister Linda Louise Pyron Augustine, her husband Glenn Augustine, and their children and grandchildren; his sister-in-law Patricia (Patty) Rice Pyron, and her children and grandchildren.

Father Than loved singing in the choir, and his special gift was pastoral care to those who were in crisis. He is remembered for his compassion, his sincerity, and his love for the church and for his family.

Visitation is at 10am Saturday, October 5, 2024, at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Creve Coeur, Missouri, and the Memorial service will start at 11am. Clergy are invited to vest and to process in the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to St. Timothy's Endowment Fund.