All: I am extremely sad to share the news below about the passing of Bill Lyles. Many of us knew him over the years, and our School is named after his family. He was a great friend to our program, and he will be sorely missed. Please see the message below from Will. Best. GS ________________________________ From: Will Lyles Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2025 4:06 PM To: Bob Bowen; Govindaraju, Rao S Subject: A life of Joy and Building - Bill Lyles 1933-2025 ---- External Email: Use caution with attachments, links, or sharing data ---- Hi Bob and GS, I wanted to share the news of my father's passing with both of you. The below was just sent to our employees. Best wishes, Will A life of Joy and Building [A person in a suit and tie AI-generated content may be incorrect.] It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Bill Lyles passed away on March 26, 2025, at the age of 91, after an extended illness. We find solace in knowing that he had a wonderful life, which he often mentioned in recent years. As the leader of the Lyles Group for over five decades, Bill found that the “Joy is in the Building.” One of Bill’s greatest joys was building on the family pipeline business, W. M. Lyles Co., which his parents Bill Sr. and Elizabeth Lyles started in Avenal, California in 1945. He began working on a construction crew as a welder’s helper at age 13. Bill returned to California and rejoined the family business; after earning his Civil Engineering degree at Purdue University and serving in the U.S. Navy as a peacetime officer. He spent a year in Germany working with his father on the only overseas project the company had ever pursued. Challenges that his father faced on that project led him to develop the lifelong business principle of “risk the branch but not the trunk.” This ultimately became one of Bill’s “23 Lessons Learned” which are shared in his memoir, “The Joy of Building.” After his father’s tragic and accidental death in 1965, Bill was thrust into leading W. M. Lyles Co. Through decades of his visionary leadership and with the support of generations of dedicated employees, partners, and his brother Gerald Lyles, the company diversified and became one of the leading private businesses in Central California. The parent company, renamed Lyles Diversified, Inc., is owned by both the employees and three generations of family members that are continuing Bill’s vision of working together to ensure the success and long-term continuity of the business. He stressed we could do more and have a greater impact if we work together. He always recognized that the key to success is talented and dedicated partners and employees, and he greatly appreciated the wonderful individuals he was blessed to work with over the years. Bill was also passionate about improving the economic vitality of the local Fresno area community. His efforts involved decades of community service, leadership roles, and philanthropic support for many non-profit organizations and causes. His support of the Lyles School of Engineering at Fresno State was founded upon his firm belief that the expansion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in the Central Valley would create quality jobs and benefit the local economy. Bill held a deep appreciation for culture and the performing arts, particularly finding joy in music. He cherished memories of touring with the Purdue University Glee Club. He also continued playing tennis into his early 80’s at the Fig Garden Swim & Racquet Club. Bill’s greatest joy for the last 36 years has been his beloved wife Anne Lyles, whom he met during a year of high school in El Paso, and they reconnected later in life. Their relationship exemplified the power of enduring love and commitment. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, the organizations he built, and the causes he championed. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date and location, yet to be determined. -- Cce-all-list mailing list Cce-all-list@ecn.purdue.edu https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECN/mailman/listinfo/cce-all-list
