LYON, William Henry, Ph.D.

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ Wednesday, September 22, 2010 William Henry Lyon, Ph.D., 84, of Flagstaff, died Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, after being diagnosed seven months ago with Merkel Cell carcinoma, a rare form of skin cancer. Dr. Lyon was born March 14, 1926, in Marshall, Mo., to William H. Lyon Sr. and Laura Eubank Lyon, the oldest of five children. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1944 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II (1944-46) in the V-12 program. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in education from Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, Mo., and his Master of Arts at the University of Chicago. After teaching at Virginia Polytechnic in Blacksburg for seven years, he moved to Columbia, Mo., where he received his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. Dr. Lyon moved with his young family to Flagstaff in 1958, when he began his teaching career as professor of history and political science at Northern Arizona University. He was chairman of the history department for many years. Dr. Lyon received numerous awards, including the Kiwanis Distinguished Service Award, Arizona Historical Society Outstanding Contribution to the Preservation of Arizona History and recognition for his contributions to Boy Scouts of America. With an abiding commitment to public life, Dr. Lyon supported and maintained a longtime membership status in Westerner's, Kiwanis (secretary for 20 years), violinist with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Flagstaff Federated Community Church board member and Cancer Society State Board. Dr. Lyon was a charter member of the Arizona State Historical Society and he often spoke at Arizona's Boys State. He was an author of many publications in the field of frontier journalism and Arizona history and considered himself a student of Navajo history. Among other pursuits, he was a Grand Canyon hiker, Flagstaff Family Food Center volunteer, attendee of the Radisson Saturday Breakfast Club and the Retiree's Tuesday Coffee Group. Many people have been touched by his generous and kind spirit, as well as his commitment to education and students. Dr. Lyon is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marylin Stewart; daughters Laurinda (Jim) Kidd and Peggy (Greg) Schuelke; sons Marc Lyon and Matthew (Judy) Lyon; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; siblings Laura Ann Redford and Jim Lyon; and many relatives and loved ones. He was preceded in death by brothers Chuck Lyon and Jack Lyon. A memorial service will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Flagstaff Federated Community Church. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the William H. Lyon U.S. History Award Scholarship. To donate, visit nau.edu/givetonau, or call 523-2012. Specify fund No. 1135.
Posted by Sharla on September 23, 2010

Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.