William Murray Lyles III

Fresno lost one of its finest with the passing of William “Bill” Murray Lyles III, age 91, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Bill was a beloved father, a loving husband, a business executive, a community leader, and a philanthropist. He loved both Arts and Sports. Born in Ohio to Elizabeth V. and William M Lyles II, Bill grew up in Avenal, California, earned a Civil Engineering Degree from Purdue University, and served in the Navy for two years.

At an early age, Bill decided his life’s work would be building upon the foundation of his parents' pipeline business, W. M. Lyles Co, established in 1945. Bill began working with construction crews as a teenager. Mentored by his uncles Larry and Mac Lyles, he had a very successful construction career. Inflation in the 1970’s, along with his understanding of business cycles, led him to pursue diversifying the company. The first effort was in the multi-family arena with Jerome Kozlowski. The partnership with the Kozlowski Family remains strong after over 50 years. Subsequent diversification, with the support of his brother Gerald, included Development, Manufacturing and Agriculture. The family business continues to thrive today under family-employee ownership.

Surrounded by a strong team at work, he had the opportunity to devote considerable time and talent to his community. His memoir, “The Joy of Building” outlines the successes and failures of these efforts to expand economic opportunity and to promote the Arts.

He coined the term “Appalachia West” to describe the poverty in 1980’s Fresno. He believed in the theory that a rising tide can lift all. He sought to promote upward mobility, especially for minorities, with his efforts at the Chamber of Commerce; the Private Industry Council, the Economic Development Commission; Fresno Boys and Girls Clubs, San Joaquin College of Law, Fresno City College, and Fresno State.

He loved the Arts. As a member of the Purdue Glee Club he sang for the newly coronated Queen Elizabeth and Maime Eisenhower. He often broke out in song. For decades, he attended and supported performances of the Fresno Philharmonic, Fresno Opera, and Good Company Players. He was also a strong supporter of Channel 18,The Fresno Met, and the Fresno Art Museum.

As a long time member of East Fresno Rotary, he lived the Four Way Test. In later years he found great enjoyment from the Owls. His numerous accolades included, among others, an honorary doctorate from Fresno State, Arthur Safstrom Service Award at Fresno State, Chamber of Commerce’s Leon Peters’ Award, Purdue Distinguished Engineering Alumni, and Outstanding Philanthropist Award.

Bill leaves behind his beloved wife Anne H. Lyles, whom he met during his freshman year of high school in El Paso and reconnected with later in life. Anne and Bill were married for 36 years. Together they enjoyed simple pleasures and grand adventures, including world travel, regular church attendance, antique collecting, and meals dining out with loved ones. Their relationship exemplified the power of enduring love and commitment.

Bill is also survived by his sister Marybeth Seay (Lester), brother Gerald Lyles (Nanette), son Will Lyles (Tami), daughters Annarie Lyles (Andy Dobson), and Adriana Hayward (Bill), step-daughters Pam Peiffer (Matt) and Trisha Duval (Pat), his first wife Valera Whitford Lyles, mother of Will, Annarie, and Adriana; and grandchildren Allegra, Alistair, Delphinia, Kelsey, Tatiana, Venezia, Chloe (Nick), Lauren, William and Hannah.

Bill was as tenacious and formidable on the tennis court as he was when discussing land and water use in California, or the expansion of performing arts and entrepreneurial programs around Fresno. Bill was also a licensed airplane pilot. Some of his happiest days were spent flying himself to business meetings or flying his family on cross-country vacations. Bill maintained a formidable ability on these trips to look down and watch the landscape slowly change while he pointed out tiny details of houses, roads, farms, and all aspects of human development. It was the same broad and sharp vision that enabled him to soar and excel throughout his long and creative business career, carefully attending to the details necessary to provide opportunity for all to thrive.

We celebrate Bill's long and meaningful life, finding solace in our cherished memories. His legacy endures through the countless lives he touched, the organizations he founded, and the causes he championed.

We will having a Celebration of Life for Bill’s Life on May 13, 2025, from 2-5 p.m. at the Lyles Group Offices, 525 W. Alluvial Avenue in Fresno. All who knew him are invited.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your charity of choice. The Central Valley Community Foundation, of which he was a past chair, can provide many options.

As Bill stated in one of his “Lessons Learned”: “Give generously to good causes, but don’t commit all your money up front. Require performance.”