William Rudolph "Billy" Lyons

William Rudolph “Billy” Lyons passed away on October 11, 2015 at the Carmel Home in Owensboro, Kentucky, where he has resided since May, 2010. He had been a longtime resident of Biloxi, Mississippi. Visitation will be held at the Nativity BVM Cathedral, 870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi, on Thursday, October 15, beginning at 9:00 a.m. with funeral mass services immediately following at 11:00 a.m. The burial will follow at Southern Memorial Gardens. Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Billy Lyons was born on October 20, 1925 in Biloxi, Mississippi, to John Christian Lyons and Adelaide Peresich Lyons. He was one of nine children. Billy graduated from Biloxi High School (BHS) in 1947. While at BHS, he was a member of both the boxing team and the football team, served as editor of the “High Tide” student newspaper and was voted “Mr. Biloxi High School”. Billy served in the Merchant Marines from 1943 – 1946 during World War II, stationed off the coast of the Philippine Islands. During the Korean War, from 1950-1954 he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany and France. Following active duty, he served as a captain in the Army Reserves until 1965. On July 6, 1950, he married the love of his life, Joy Branson, of Sylvia, Kansas, in Frankfurt, Germany. Joy died in December, 1982. They were married 31 years and had three children: Carol Anne (m. Steve Halliburton), Michael, and Susie (m. Greg Strahan). Billy attended the University of Kansas and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. While at KU, he served on the boxing team, was President of the Veteran’s Student Organization and was named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Following graduation, Billy was recruited by John Hancock Insurance Company for their management training program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He managed John Hancock offices in St. Louis and Kansas City, before joining Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Company in Kansas City and managing their offices in Kansas City and Mobile. In 1967, he purchased the Watson Insurance Agency in Biloxi, from his uncle, Gene Peresich, and served as owner/operator of the Watson-Lyons Insurance Agency until 1974. As a local business man, he was a member of the Biloxi Businessmen’s Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Billy was employed briefly by Ingalls Shipyard, before starting his own company, King of the Hill Productions, pioneering delivery of closed-circuit telecasts of world championship boxing events. The championship fight between Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns was a highlight for the company. Billy’s success in promoting and setting up boxing events led to his involvement with the Biloxi Jets, a minor league basketball team. As director of group sales, he led the league in ticket sales, doubling average sales records. Appointed by Governor Kirk Fordice, Billy served as State Athletic Commissioner from 1992-2003, providing licensure and oversight of boxing and wrestling events for the state of Mississippi. During his tenure, the Mississippi Athletic Commission raised millions of dollars in revenue surpassing Atlantic City and second only to Las Vegas in quality and revenue-producing boxing events. His work with the Commission was featured in various boxing magazines and “Sports Illustrated”. Bouts featuring boxing greats, such as: Larry Holmes, Oscar De La Hoya, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, Mike Tyson, Roy Jones, and Laila Ali were televised on major sports networks, including: ABC, ESPN, Showtime, HBO, and Fox. As much as he enjoyed his paid employment, his favorite activities included charity and community service. He was a proud member of the Biloxi Elks Lodge #606, where he served as exalted ruler in 1991-92. He chaired the Thanksgiving/Christmas Basket Committee and the Elks Charity Golf Tournament for several years and was named Elk of the Year in 1983. For many years, he served on the Harrison County Development Commission, an organization promoting economic and community development. He was a member of many civic and service organizations throughout his life and was named Biloxi’s Outstanding Citizen in 1978. He was active in Our Lady of Fatima Church, serving on committees for the annual bazaar and Christmas tree sales, as well as the Knights of Columbus. Later, when he moved downtown, he became an active member of the Nativity BVM Cathedral. At Nativity, he was a member of the Rosary Society, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and an usher for Sunday Mass. Since May 2010, he resided at the Carmel Home in Owensboro, Kentucky, where he attended daily mass and was a member of the Rosary Society. Billy Lyons lived his life to the fullest with a true commitment to faith, family and community service. He traveled the world, but was always a proud ambassador for the state of Mississippi, and especially the city of Biloxi, calling it “America’s Best Kept Secret”. His positive spirit, sense of humor, and zest for living will be missed by all who knew him. Billy Lyons was preceded in death by his parents, John Christian Lyons and Adelaide Peresich Lyons; his beloved wife, Joy Branson Lyons; his sister, Marie Lyons Stewart; and his brothers, Joseph Lyons; John “Speedy” Lyons; Matt Lyons; and Kenneth “Jerome” Lyons. He is survived by his three children -- Carol Lyons Halliburton of Jackson, Mississippi; Michael Lyons of Houston, Texas; and Susie Lyons Strahan of Owensboro, Kentucky; his brothers – Eugene “Jimmy” Lyons, Robert “Bobby” Lyons, and Steve Lyons of Biloxi; his grandchildren – Kristy Strahan Compton, Rudy Strahan, Elizabeth Strahan, William Strahan, Katie Lyons, and Bryce Lyons; his great grandchildren – Branson Ellis, Peyton Ellis, Grace Ellis and Scott Compton; and various nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Carmel Home, 2501 Old Hartford Road, Owensboro, Kentucky, 42303 or the St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o Nativity BVM Cathedral, 870 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi, 39530. Family and friends may view and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.