By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Learn More.
William Lyons

William Lyons

Jan 22, 1941 - Mar 17, 2011
Funeral services for William C. "Bill" Lyons of rural Riverton are at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, at the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton. Cremation will follow the service. There will be a public viewing from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, at the funeral home.

Mr. Lyons died at his home on Thursday morning, March 17, 2011. He was 70.

William Clair Lyons was born on the family homestead on North Paradise Valley out of Riverton on Jan. 22, 1941, the son of Francis and Maude (Haney) Lyons. He attended the Pavillion elementary school.

At the age of 13, he started traveling Wyoming and Nebraska, working ranches and rodeoing. He met Joyce Ann Smith in Nebraska and they were married on Aug. 20, 1961, in Brownlee, Neb. The couple settled in South Dakota where they owned a dairy farm. They returned to Wyoming in January of 1978.

Mr. Lyons was a member of the Senior Pro Rodeo circuit and was a bull rider until the age of 63. In his younger years, his family said he was a bull rider and bronc rider.

In addition to working as a cowboy for many years on the ranches of Wyoming and Nebraska, when the family relocated to Riverton Mr. Lyons worked in the oilfields from 1978 until the late 1980s. He then worked at Per Tec for 15 years.

His family said he enjoyed working with horses, hunting, and his grandchildren and family.

He is survived by his wife Joyce of the family home; son, Dan Lyons and wife Jamie of Lander and their children Shana and Sierra; daughter, Brenda Turpen and husband Tom of Pilot Point, Texas and their children Jennifer and Blake Waters, Heidi Turpen, Bobby and Michelle Mayo; daughter, Jodi Schreiner of Hays, Kan., and her children Jessica, Amber and Katina; daughter, Debbie Stracke and husband Martin and their children Michael Roth and Jordon Woodis; daughter, Kathy Wright and companion Denny Shepard of Spokane, Wash., and children, Elizabeth, Ashley, Rachael and Lillian Wright, Taylen Tessman, Isabele, Odessa and Chelsea Shepard; son, Jeremy Lyons and wife Amy of Rock Springs and their children Katie and Makaylee Vermeulen; great grandchildren, Nicolas, William and Haley Smith, and Emalee Lyons; brothers, Gage, Delmar, Ronnie and Bobby; sisters, Bev, Maxine, Bernice, Betty and Elsie; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Bud and Jim; sister, Virginia, and granddaughter, Shaylyn Lyons.

Memorials may be made to the: Lyons Family, 39 Davids Way, Riverton, WY 82501.

On-line obituaries are available and condolences for the family may be made at: theDavisFuneralHome.com

Services are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home of Riverton.