William Paudine Lyons, Sr., also known as Bill, or Jack, 96, of Dunbar, passed away on Friday, August 25, 2006 at his home while going about his daily routine.

Bill was born on April 16, 1910, in Cave City, KY to the late Lee Rice Lyons and Anna Lyons. He was a graduate of Bowling Green Teachers College, Bowling Green, KY. He then moved to Sharon, WV on Valentines Day in 1935.

Mr. Lyons was a former employee of Wyatt Coal Company, Rollyson Motors, Motor Car Supply, and was the former postmaster at Sharon, WV. He served his country in the US Navy with a rank of Yoeman 1st Class during World War II, serving in the Philippines and on the USS General MB Stewart. He was a member of Humphreys Memorial United Methodist Church, Dunbar, where he was the oldest member and served as former treasurer for many years.

Bill loved life and faced it every day with a smile. He was a true southern gentleman and was loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Although he did not reach his goal of living to be 100, he enjoyed traveling, going to his church's services, going out to eat, and visiting with family and friends. He was an avid hunter and fisherman until he was well into his 80's when frailty took him by surprise. Although wheelchair bound for the last few years he continued his daily life to the fullest, smiling all the day through.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Elsie Johnson Lyons; stepfather and uncle, Hascal Burton Lyons; sister, Mary Cooksey; stepsister, Gladys Allene Lancaster; stepbrother, Lester Wayne Lyons.

Left to cherish his memory are his brother, Roger Lee Lyons of Tampa, FL; daughter, Janice M. Lyons Smith of Dunbar; son, William P. Lyons, Jr. of Sandbridge, VA; grandchildren, William P. Lyons, III of Virginia Beach, VA, James C. Shook, Jr., and his wife, Sandy of New York City, Dr. Jefferson Lyons, and his wife, Ellen of Cincinnati, OH, Jennifer Lyons of New York City, MaryEllen Dyer Smith of Dunbar; great grandchild, "Lizzy" Lyons of Virginia Beach, VA; aunt, Wilma Jean Turner; a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations in memory of Bill be made to: Humphreys Memorial United Methodist Church, Handicapped Accessibility Fund, Automatic Door Openers Fund, or the Porch Fund, 1400 Grosscup Avenue, Dunbar, WV 25064.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 29, at Humphreys Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Nolan D. Turner, the Rev. Dr. Okey B. Harless, Jr., and the Rev. Henry Hanna officiating. Interment will follow in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday, August 28, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.