Willa Dean Lyon

Full of Texas grit, Willa Dean Lyon was a strong woman, caring mother and devoted partner and wife to her husband of 48 years, Maj Gen William Lyon, USAF [Ret]. Together, they created enduring impacts on the lives around them including the community at large.

EARLY LIFE

Willa Dean Lyon was born on September 17, 1931 in Haskell County, Texas to Henry Fitzpatrick and Orelia Gladys Harwell. Willa Dean was the eldest of four daughters. The Harwell family lived on a cotton farm, and Willa Dean learned at an early age how to pull cotton, milk cows, feed chickens, head maize, shuck corn and even drive a tractor. She attended high school in San Angelo, Texas where she got into trouble with her father for secretly playing woman’s basketball. He thought the uniform shorts were not modest enough for women.

PROFESSIONAL AND FAMILY LIFE

In 1948, at the age of 17, Willa Dean was married in San Angelo, Texas. In 1951, daughter, Marcia Dianne Russell, was born, followed by son, Byron Leslie Russell, in 1952. The young family relocated several times due to her husband’s service in the Navy. The family finally settled in Los Alamitos, CA in 1964. Willa Dean would ultimately divorce Marcia and Byron’s father.

Willa Dean began working as a bookkeeper for a homebuilder named William Lyon in 1961. Through her hard work and dedication, she advanced to the level of Vice President & Corporate Secretary. After Bill’s wife, Miriam passed away suddenly in January of 1970, the mutual respect and admiration that Willa Dean and Bill shared grew into a romance, and they were married on August 14, 1971. Bill had two daughters, Mary Susan and Christine Ann, and now their blended family totalled four children entering adulthood, but not for long. In September of 1973, Bill and Willa Dean welcomed their son, William Harwell, into the family. Over time, this family has extended from their 5 children to include 7 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

PHILANTRHOPIC INVOLVEMENT

Willa Dean never forgot her humble beginnings, and she had a kind heart for those less fortunate, especially children. Together she and her husband, Bill, championed a number of causes which benefited Orange County with Bill often taking the more overt roll of board member and sometimes chairman. However, Willa Dean was no less passionate or involved, working behind the scenes to plan many events and fundraisers along the way. One notable exception was a fundraiser she led for the Orangewood Foundation in 2000 where she convinced Wayne Newton to perform free of charge at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Orangewood Children’s Home was probably the Lyon’s favorite charitable endeavor. Originally named the Albert Sitton home, this shelter for battered and abused children was badly overcrowded and underfunded. Daughter, Marcia, while working as Anaheim’s first female patrol officer visited the home often, delivering children who were taken into protective custody due to traumatic events. Willa Dean enlisted the help of The Lyon Company’s subcontractor base, persuading them to make donations of items like blankets, televisions, and toys to the children instead of the usual Christmas gifts they would deliver to the company. Several years later, General Lyon was asked to join in an effort to build an expanded state of the art facility called Orangewood Children’s Home and serve as its founding chairman. Orangewood continues to be a leading provider of services to youth in Orange County.

EDUCATION

Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, California

Draughons Business College, Abilene, Texas

ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Naming Donor, Hoag Hospital General William Lyon Leadership Center, 2021

Member, Angel of the Arts – Support group for the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 1984-2014

Underwriting Chairperson, Assessment Treatment Services Center’s Newport Beach Concours d’Elegance 1987-1992 and Honorary Chairperson 1993

Member, Santa Margarita High School Principal’s Council, 1988-1992

Underwriting Chairperson, Orangewood’s Orange Blossom Ball, 1987-1991

Chairperson, South Coast Repertory Gala Committee, 1989

Co-chairperson, Orangewood’s Orange Blossom Ball, 1985-1986

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

The Lyons received “Legacy Award” presented by National Philanthropy Day, November 2014.

Willa Dean Lyon was the “Surprise Honoree” of the Orange Blossom Gala in May 2009. Located on the grounds of The Orangewood Children’s Home, The Willa Dean Lyon Rose Garden was created as a tribute to recognize the pivotal role she quietly played while helping to establish a beautiful, home-like and kid-friendly living environment for the neglected and abused children of Orange County.

The Lyons received the “Corporate Humanitarian” award presented by Operation Smile in 2005. Operation Smile benefits children around the world who suffer from severe cleft lips and cleft palates. These surgical changes are life-changing for these youngsters.

The Willa Dean Lyon Center for International Reconstructive Surgical Education and Research was established in 2003 at the University of Southern California - Keck School of Medicine.

The Lyons received the “Giving is Living” award, presented by the Volunteer Center of Orange County to recognize significant contributions to a variety of nonprofit community organizations, November 1988.