Lt. Col. William Lyon

Lt. Col. William E. Lyon (Ret.)

April 29, 1932 - August 22, 2023

William (Bill) Lyon passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 22, 2023, in College Station, Texas.

Bill was born on April 29, 1932, to Colonel Henry Yost Lyon and Margaret Lowery Lyon, in Lincoln, Nebraska. He graduated High School in Yokohama, Japan in 1950 and graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1956.

After graduating from West Point, Captain Bill Lyon was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia where he achieved the Army Commendation medal, expert infantry and Airborne and Ranger training. He then had a 2-year duty in Schweinfurt, Germany as platoon leader, company executive officer, and then company commander. After Bill was married, he taught Mountain Ranger school in Dahlonega Georgia, he was assigned duty in South Korea for 13 months with 7th infantry division.

In November 1960, Bill got engaged to Cynthia Stone Baskin of Clearwater, FL. They got married on February 4, 1961. Their first child, Margaret W. Lyon was born on February 25, 1962 in Ft. Benning, Georgia. The family moved to Boonville, Missouri in August 1964 and their son, Michael B. Lyon was born on May 22, 1965.

Bill served in two tours of duty in Vietnam. After 20 years of service, Bill retired from the Army in 1976 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After retirement, Bill and his family lived in Atlanta and then in Columbus, Georgia where he was an ROTC instructor. When he retired from teaching, Bill and Cindy moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, then to Pensacola, Florida, then Houston, Texas. Their last and final move was to College Station, Texas in 2008 so they could be closer to their daughter, Margaret.

Bill's wife Cynthia Stone Lyon passed away on March 16, 2019, in College Station, Texas at the age of 85. They had been happily married 58 years. Bill lived alone in their home after Cindy's passing until May of 2022 when he moved in with his daughter Margaret and her family in College Station. He was independent, driving and doing very well almost until the end of his life.

Bill's spiritual walk was a vital part of his life. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a kind and caring man who expressed his deep love for the Lord by serving others.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and one sibling, Patricia Lyon Hodges.

Those left behind to honor Bill are his two children, Margaret Lyon Hatfield of College Station, Texas and Michael B. Lyon of Annapolis, Maryland; and his four grandchildren, Ryan Hatfield, Milo Lyon, Lucy Lyon, and Ruby Lyon.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 2 p.m., at Hillier of COLLEGE STATION. A Graveside Service with military honors will be take place the following day, Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at Houston National Cemetery at 1:00pm.

Please visit Bill's tribute page at www.hillierfuneralhome.com to share memories and stories.