William Robert Lyons

William Robert Lyons, 99, passed away at home Feb.12, 2016. William was born May 27, 1916, in Walla Walla County to Joseph W. and Hattie D. Lyons. He grew up on the family farm on Mill Creek Rd. His schooling started in a one room school house on CoyoteRoad, then, in town to Sharpstein, St. Patrick’s and graduated from high school at Gonzaga Prep.
William married Marilyn Clark in Helena, Mont.,in 1941. They moved to Seattle where he worked at Boeing’s for a couple of years, then returned to Walla Walla to farm with his father and brothers. They were one of the pioneering farms that raised green peas in the valley. He was still actively farming with his son and grandson on the family farm at the time of his death. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was dedicated to his family, farming and caring for the land.
He was a member of the Northwest Grain Growers Association, Walla Walla Farmers Co-op, Washington Association Wheat Grower, USA Pea and Lentil Council and the Washington Farm Bureau.
William is preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Marilyn; and his daughter, Patricia; his mother and father; three brothers, Joseph, Richard and John; and six sisters, Helen, Louise, Grace, Stephanie, Sister Denise and Monica. He is survived by his sons, Leo
and Louis residing in Oregon, Tim (Geri) and Jerome (Terri) of Walla Walla, Stan (Kara) residing in California, Brian (Harry) residing in Alaska; daughters, Judith (Mel) of Walla Walla, Kathleen and Linda
(Ron) residing in Washington, and Teresa (John) residing in Idaho; sisters, Margaret Mary Coan residing in Washington and Rita Van Cleve residing in Texas; sisters-in-law, Gloria Henry of Montana, Janet Lyons of California, and Jackie Lyons of Walla Walla;brother-in-law, Lee Stone of Texas; 19 grandchildren;and 29 great grandchildren; cousins and many nieces and nephews.
The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. with a memorial mass to follow at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 408 W. Alder, Walla Walla, with the graveside service at Mountain View Cemetery. A reception will follow at Blanchet Hall at St. Patrick’s Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the William and Marilyn Lyons Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Walla Walla Catholic Schools Endowment Fund,through Herring Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
Dad will be in our hearts forever.