William Thompson Lyon '45
William “Pete” Lyon died on February 1, 2007, at Heartland Hospice, Dunwoody, GA, at the age of eighty-six. Pete, as he was known to all, was born in Philadelphia, PA, and grew up in Cedar Hill, NY. He attended the Albany Academy prior to entering Amherst.
Pete Lyon was one of the first in our class to enlist in the service, just four days after Pearl Harbor. He earned his wings and commission and was designated a naval flight instructor. Following four years in the navy, he returned to civilian life and completed his undergraduate work at Emory University.
Pete spent his entire vocational life in insurance, eventually forming his own agency with emphasis on life insurance.
Pete was an avid tennis player and an enthusiastic coin and stamp collector. He was an active member of the Church of the Apostles. He was predeceased by his wife, Gloria Anne Melchor Lyon. He is survived by his three children, Lynne Sechler, Liz Kite and William Thompson Lyon, Jr., and four grandchildren.
To Pete Lyon’s children and grandchildren our Class extends its sincere condolences.
—Daniel B. Leavitt ’45