William (Bill) Hosie Lyles, Jr., CMSgt, USAF retired and Deacon, World Victory Church and Life Center, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022. He was born in Atlanta, GA on April 8, 1935 to Mr. William H. Lyles, Sr. and Mrs. Julia R. McFarlin Lyles.

Bill graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended Morehouse College prior to entering the U.S. Air Force in February 1954, where he served his country for 31 ½ years. The majority of his career was in the Command and Control environment, beginning in the Manual Aircraft Control and Warning Systems, later working in The SAGE, BUIC and Tactical Ground and Airborne Systems as one of the first Computer Programmers in the Air Force.

Bill met and married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Davidson, while stationed in Massachusetts 1957-58. God granted them 63 years together until Mary passed away April 24, 2021. God blessed them with three sons: William III, Kevin and James, and four grandchildren: Ashley, Travis, Trenton and Matthew.

In 1963, Bill attended the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington VA, where he studied Vietnamese language for a special assignment to Vietnam. In 1964 he established and taught a training program to teach Aircraft Control and Warning to Vietnamese Airmen and NCOs. For his efforts, Bill was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal and received a Commendation from General Nguyen Cao Ky, Commander of the Vietnamese Air Force.

Throughout his career, Bill was assigned Air Force level instructor duties, teaching in the Manual, SAGE and BUIC elements of his career field and later becoming an instructor at Air Defense Command's Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) Academy. There he served as Director of Admissions and taught Supervision and Management. During this time, Bill had Summer Assignments, as part of a team teaching the NCOs at the US Air Force Academy. He then became Superintendent, ADC/NORAD NCO Leadership School.

In addition to several stateside assignments, Chief Lyles served overseas tours in Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and Iceland. Among his several awards and Decorations are the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.

After his retirement from the Air Force, Bill worked for GTE Government Systems Corporation in Needham, MA and Hampton, VA as a Field Marketing Manager.

Until he entered the Air Force, Bill was a member of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church of Atlanta, GA. After he retired, he remained in Virginia and became a member of World Victory Church and Life Center in Newport News, where he was ordained a Deacon in 1987. Bill served honorably in this position for more than 35 years and was granted Emeritus status in 2019. Deacon Lyles was also Director of Christian Education and taught Bible Study in the Sunday and Wednesday night programs. He also participated in the WVCLC Annual Easter Dinner Theatre for many years.

Bill is survived by three sons: William H. Lyles, III, Kevin B. Lyles (Lisa) and James C. Lyles (Debbie), grandchildren, Ashley E. Lyles (CJ), Travis G. Lyles, Trenton S. Lyles and Matthew L. Calleros; sister, Ruth L. Bailey; brother-in-law, Rev. Keith Avent (Cynthia); three sisters-in-law, Mattie Bostic, Elsie Rhodes and Sandra Avent; Ashley's mother, Chutima Lyles; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bill loved to play golf and was a member and officer of the Senior Golfers of Virginia, playing courses throughout the state.

Viewing will be from 3-6 p.m., Monday October 31, 2022 at O.H. Smith & Son Funeral Home.

Celebration of Life Service will be at 10:30 a.m., November 1, 2022 at World Victory Church & Life Center 5900 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, VA 23605.  Interment with full military honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, VA  23434.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of William Lyles, Jr. to World Victory Church and Life Center. O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.