Gregory Lyons

Gregory Lynn Lyons, 65, of Bowling Green, KY, passed away on July 16, 2025. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and teacher, Greg's passion for music education shaped generations of students and teachers across the region.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy Whitler (BW) and Anna Guynd Stiff Lyons. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Paula; his son Austin (SG) of London, England; his daughter Kristen Banks (Dan) and granddaughter Whit of Nashville; his brother Bruce (Marty); sister Lisa Cummings (Barry); and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Greg received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Music Education from Western Kentucky University. As a student, he served as President of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a music fraternity. Greg felt music deep in his soul and had the opportunity to conduct many of WKU's student ensembles.
Greg began his career as a band director at Muhlenberg Central where he was mentored by Ed Knob and Joe Allen. Following a year at Meade County, Greg took the band position at Glasgow, working with John Scalise. Always curious and asking questions of those he respected, Greg remained a student of music throughout his life. He received the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Band Director Award in 1986 and was later inducted into Phi Beta Mu, an international honor society for band directors.
In 1991, he and Paula purchased Royal Music in Bowling Green, which quickly re-established itself as a regional hub for music education. The repair shop on State Street became a place for music teachers and college students to drink coffee, share stories, and learn from one another. Greg had a gift for recruiting young students into band and orchestra programs, changing the lives of thousands of students and music teachers. He served on the board of directors of the National Association of School Music Dealers, making deep relationships with music store owners across the country. In 2011, Greg was inducted into the Western Kentucky University Music Wall of Fame for his lasting contributions to the music community. He was voted Friend of Music by the Kentucky Music Educator's Association in 2017.
In addition to music, Greg was a member at Christ Episcopal Church for 32 years, and served in numerous capacities as a Sunday school teacher, acolyte coordinator, and vestry member. He loved collecting bourbon, traveling with his family, cheering for the Hilltoppers as a 20-year basketball season ticket holder, and Bruce Springsteen.
All services will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Bowling Green, with visitation on Thursday, July 24 from 6–8 p.m. and Friday, July 25 from 9–11 a.m. and the funeral service to follow at 11. The service will be streamed on FaceBook Live (at Christ Episcopal Church Bowling Green) or on YouTube (at cecbg).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Christ Episcopal Church or to the John Asher Scholarship Fund through the College Heights Foundation at WKU.