William Robert Lyons

November 8, 1937 – October 4, 2025
William Robert Lyons died just after midnight on October 4, 2025. He was 87.
He spent his last years in St. Petersburg, Florida. His daughters, Nancy and Kathleen, were with him in the days and hours before he passed. True to form, he waited until they stepped out of the room to make his exit.
Bill was born in Philadelphia, PA on November 8, 1937, to Michael Lyons and Stanley Laura (Eagen) Lyons. He graduated from Bishop Neuman High School, then served in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany from 1957 to 1959. Afterward, he applied and was accepted to the Philadelphia Police Academy. He ultimately joined the Philadelphia Police Department, where he worked for several years while attending Temple University. Later, after moving to Marquette, Michigan, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Michigan University.
Bill's career reflected who he was: steady, pragmatic and service-minded. After relocating to Marquette, he became Chief of Campus Security at Northern Michigan University, where he served for ten years. He later worked as the Superintendent of Safety and Security for a regional railroad. Eventually, he stepped into a new role, managing operations for Marquette Family Practice as his wife's medical practice expanded.
That partnership started years earlier, in a Philadelphia emergency room. One night while on duty, Bill went in to get a cinder removed from his eye. A young intern performed the procedure. Her name was Barbara. She called him "Irish" - for his faith, his roots, his modesty, and his easy way. She always called him that. They were married for 57 years until she died on February 11, 2021. After that, he never took off his wedding ring, and he wore her ring on a chain around his neck until the day he passed. He missed her every day.
Bill and Barbara raised two daughters in Marquette, Michigan. After her career wound down, they made the most of retirement. They traveled often, Ireland was a favorite, and they settled into a long, quiet stretch of life in their Granite Pointe home, where they lived for 18 years.
After Barbara died, Bill couldn't quite settle. He moved to Florida for a while, then back to Marquette. He tried a couple of places around town, then came to Minnesota to be near Nancy. But the cold never suited him, and eventually he returned to St. Petersburg, not far from Kathleen. That's where he stayed for the last two years of his life. At Addington Place at College Harbor, people called him "Mister Bill." Staff and neighbors told us what we already knew: he was kind. Funny. Steady. A gentleman.
Bill lived simply and well. He liked meat and potatoes. Miller Lite. Cribbage. Watching football. Happy hour with his buddies. He loved cars; especially his 1964 Ford Fairlane convertible. The stories about that car were legendary. We found the original purchase receipt in his drawer after he died. He didn't need a lot. He showed up. He paid attention. He liked things to be in order.
He was also a reluctant golfer. He didn't care much about the game. But he loved the sunshine, the beer, and the people. That was enough.
He loved music. He was a great singer, although most people never got to hear him. He collected jazz, old standards, classical, easy listening from the likes of Sinatra, Sedaka, Beegee Adair, big bands. Music stayed with him until the end. Most nights, he fell asleep with his Alexa singing in his ear.
Bill was a proud Irish Catholic. He was a longtime member of St. Michael Church in Marquette, as well as the Elks and the VFW. He liked the quiet kind of duty. He did the school drop-offs. Changed the diapers. Handled the mornings. And he never made a fuss about it; he just did what needed to be done. He believed in showing up. He supported Barbara throughout her career. Not because he had to, but because he loved her. And he was always so proud of her.
He is survived by his daughters, Nancy Lyons (and spouse, Laura), and Kathleen Lyons (and her dogs(Archie was his favorite)); his grandson, Merrick Lyons; his niece, Laura Laughlin, and nephew, Gregory Sadowsky; and a wide circle of other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. After Barbara's passing, her extended family continued to include Bill in everything, helping with his last move to Florida and staying close, just as they always had. He also leaves behind his dear friend Stanley Peterson, his honorary son.
He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Lyons; his parents Michael and Stanley; and his sisters, Gertrude Sadowsky and Anna Nathan.
Bill will be cremated in Florida. A celebration of life and burial will be held in Marquette, Michigan, in the summer of 2026. Details will be shared closer to that time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Family Equality, UPAWS, or St. Michael Catholic Church Memorial Fund, 401 W. Kaye Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855.
Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.