William Emmett Lyles, Sr.

He was born at Lyles Station, IN, August 27, 1918. He was the fourth child of Jonathan Morton and Mary Alice (Stewart) Lyles. His formal education started at the Lyles Consolidated School in grades 1-7 and the Patoka School in grade 8. His four years of high school were completed at Lincoln High School in Princeton. He entered Indiana State University and completed his junior year prior to being drafted into the military during WWII. He was inducted into the Army Air Force in 1942 where he served three years and two months as a Technical Sergeant in the Signal Corps. He was awarded four bronze stars and the Belgian Fourragere during his active duty in Western Europe. He was honored to be part of the United States Military and was proud of his contributions to his country.

William returned to Indiana State University and received his BS and MS degrees in Education. He began his teaching career in 1947 with the Jeffersonville Public Schools. In 1951, he accepted a teaching position with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. William dedicated his life to the field of education with 40 years of service. He taught at Third Avenue School and Dexter School, was Social Studies Supervisor for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, and taught Geography as an instructor at the University of Evansville and the University of Kentucky community College in Henderson, Kentucky.

He served on numerous state and national committees. He was a member of the National Council for Social Studies, Indiana Council for Social Studies, the Indiana Council for Economic Education, twenty-five year member of Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity, Social Studies Supervisors Association, Educational Supervision and Management Association, Association of Educational Administrators – Evansville, State Social Studies Advisory Council, Indiana Department of Civil Defense and Emergency Management, and Indiana Council for Economic Education Purdue University, and the first African American to be appointed to serve on the Police Merit Commission.

William was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Alice (Stewart) and Jonathan Morton Lyles; brothers, Carl and Earl Lyles; and sister, Allie Lyles Clift.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Wilma (Major) Lyles; son, William (Dalerie) of Evansville; daughters, Debra (Kenneth) Stewart of Newburgh, Cheryl (Glenn) Hodge of Mobile, AL and Sheilah Lyles of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Shadia (Marlon) Anderson of Houston, TX, Chezik (Kudo) Tsunoda of Seattle, WA, Kaleah (Peter) Lemon of Newburgh, Jared (Cindy) Hodge of Atlanta, GA, Jason Hodge of Cedar Rapids, IA, Ashlyn Lyles of Bowling Green, KY, Joshua Hodge of Mobile, AL, Talia Young of Indianapolis; Cory Lyles of Evansville and Chelyn Lyles of Evansville; great-grandchildren, Zoe Anderson of Houston, TX, Caleb Anderson of Houston, TX, Hannah Anderson of Houston, TX, Madeleine Stewart of Newburgh, Ise Tsunoda of Seattle, WA and Nicholas Lemon of Newburgh; nieces, nephews and cousins.

William’s life was devoted to working with children, traveling to distant places, and his family. His love for people was considered by him as his “greatest gift.”

Services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Rev. Tom Vanselow, with burial in Locust Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit Monday from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4770 Covert Avenue, Evansville, IN 47714.