William Barry Lyons

William Barry Lyons (Bill) passed away peacefully on December 13, 2022, at home, surrounded by family and friends.

Bill was born to John and Jimmie Lou Lyons on June 1, 1928, in McComb, Mississippi. He attended Tulane University before enlisting in the U.S. Navy for two years, where he trained as an aviator. After his discharge from the Navy, he completed his education and graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in chemistry, He then married his longtime sweetheart, Miriam Smith, and they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he began his career by working for the Centers of Disease Control.

Bill was passionate about his work and joined the Public Health Service, where he held various positions at the County, State and Federal levels. One of his first assignments was to assist the Navajo population at Ft. Defiance, Arizona with health care. Other ventures took Bill and his family to Kentucky, Colorado and ultimately to Atlanta, Georgia, where he became Executive Officer of Grants Management. Bill retired from the U.S. Public Health Service in 1991.

An avid Ole Miss fan, Bill rarely missed a televised game. He also enjoyed playing golf and made a hole-in-one at the age of 85! He played the trombone, and especially loved Big Band and Swing music. At one time, Bill was part of a band called "Six Saints and a Sinner".

A follower of Christ, Bill was an active member of Avondale First Baptist Church for 58 years, where he taught Sunday School and served as Deacon/Deacon Emeritus.

Bill will be remembered as an elegant gentleman, loving and kind, with a razor-sharp wit. His humor never left him and he gave us warm memories that will endure. Bill will be greatly missed and is dearly loved.

Bill is survived by his wife, Miriam and four children, Linda Budd (Richard), Tina Connell (Jock), Leslie Watkins (Porter), and John Lyons. His also survived by five grandchildren, Barry Connell (Allison), Emily Connell Smith (Michael), James and Clara Watkins, and Will Lyons. Great-grandchildren include Griffin and Brody Connell, and Charlotte and Beau Smith. Bill is also survived by his sister, Jimmie Lou Cothren (Dick) and nephews, Jeffrey and Adam.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Avondale First Baptist Church (Gospel Hope), 47 Covington Road, Avondale Estates, Georgia 30002.

A private family graveside service will take place prior to the memorial service.