Billy S. Lyons

Col. Billy S. Lyons USAF Retired of North Little Rock passed away April 26, 2014. He was born on April 6, 1934 to Zella and Billy Lyons of North Little Rock. He graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1952 and received an athletic scholarship to play Football at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He played tight end and was a member of the 1954 Razorback team that won the Southwest Conference Championship and represented the Conference in the 1955 Cotton Bowl. He was proud to be a member of Coach Bowden Wyatt's 25 Little Pigs. After graduation from the University in 1956, he was married to Mickey Laree Lloyd. He entered the Air Force as an officer and began pilot training and graduated from single engine jet training in March, 1958. After a tour flying the F-86 and F-100, he was assigned to Strategic Air Command flying the B-47. He received an assignment to fly the B-58 Hustler at Little Rock ASFB. After five years in the Hustler, he was selected for C-130 training and assigned to Taiwan flying missions in Southeast Asia. Later, he was assigned to the B-52 at Carswell AFB, Texas. And another Southeast Asia tour which included missions to North Vietnam during Linebacker II. After this assignment, he filled various wing assignments and SAC Headquarters duty. He served as commander of the 379th B-52 Wing and after duty in 15th AF Headquarters retired in early 1986. He received many medals, including the Legion of Merit, Air Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After retirement from the AF, he worked for Lockheed Martin Co. in Ft. Worth, Texas, in the development of maintenance information program for the F-16 fighter. He was a member of Lakewood United Methodist Church and active in the Razorback Lettermens Club and Distinguished Flying Cross Assoc. and the Maumelle Lions Club. He is survived by his wife, LaRee, three sons: Scott Lyons of Arlington, Texas, Mitchell Lyons (Laurie) of San Antonio, Texas, and Russell Lyons of Glenn Heights, Texas, four grandchildren: Aaron Lyons (Stefanie) of Houston, Texas, Austyn Burgamy (Steve) of San Antonio, Texas, Michelle Lyons of Glenn Heights, Texas, Mitchell G. Lyons of San Antonio, Texas, and sister Fay Calk of Dallas, Texas. Burial with full military honors will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home 7724 Landers Rd., No. Little Rock, Ark. A memorial service will follow at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Rd. No. Little Rock at 10:30 a.m. The family will greet friends at a reception in Gibson Hall at the church following the service. Memorials may be made to Lakewood United Methodist Church or a charity of choice.