William S. Lyon

William Lyon, known to friends and family as "Willy," passed away on January 30, 2019, at the fine age of 95 years. 

 Originally from Trinidad, West Indies, Willy attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduated with a degree in Dentistry and practiced in Port of Spain Trinidad for 24 years. 

 While living in Trinidad, Willy was a Consul for Spanish Honduras and occasionally for Costa Rica.  In his position he worked to foster relations between Trinidad and Honduras and Costa Rica, by attending official gatherings of foreign dignitaries and handle matters relating to citizens such as passports, visas, and ship clearances. 

 In 1973 Willy and his family immigrated to Yorkton, Saskatchewan where he established a thriving Dental practice.  He was well-known in the community.  He often provided dental services in return for produce as payment. His gentle touch was comforting to all his patients.

 After practicing Dentistry for 40 years, 16 of them in Yorkton, Willy retired in 1989.  Always wanting to remain active and learning, Willy accepted a volunteer position in 1993 as a board member for the Anderson Lodge Board.  He wanted to learn about homes for seniors, help people and meet new people.  He served on the board for 2 years. 

 The church was a very important aspect of Willy’s life and he was very active at St. Gerard’s and served as a reader and communion minister and was a Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus.  He provided Spanish interpretation for Latin American refugees the church sponsored through the Open Door Society.  In 1977 he became a licensed amateur radio operator which entailed learning Morse code.  He often transmitted messages all over the world on behalf of family and friends including during emergency situations.  On his arrival in Yorkton he was encourage to join a curling team and he took up the challenge and curled for several years.  In later years his knees felt the effects of his curling. 

 Willy’s love of all types of cuisines was well know!   He looked forward to enjoying food with family and friends.  In addition, he was an accomplished cook and baker.  Each Christmas he would lovingly make Venezuelan pastels which was a day long process. Many have sampled and fell in love with his homemade bread, cinnamon buns and tea rings.  He even became a pro at making homemade jam and jellies. 

When computers became popular, Willy, attended numerous classes to learn how to use computers and different software.  He was keenly interested in how it worked and purchased his own home computer and later had an iPhone and kept in contact via email and text.  He mastered using Skype and had many wonderful Skype calls with family and friends.  He always loved gadgets and would often buy the latest one on the market– mostly he liked getting a deal on his purchases!

Over the years Willy enjoyed travelling.  He and his wife took their family on many adventures travelling in the Caribbean, Canada, the US and Europe.  It was always an opportunity to meet up with friends and family who were spread out all over the world. 

 Willy will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Alison (nee Freakley), and his children Adrian (Merrilyn), Nicholas, Marc, and Suzanne (Anthony) and his previous daughter-in-law, Lana.  Willy will also be fondly remembered by his 4 grandchildren Scott (Crystal), Shaun (Robin), Jesse and Bryn and one great-granddaughter Olivia, and by his brother Jose, and his nephews Tony and Eduardo.  Willy was predeceased by his sister-in law Pat and grandson Tyson. 

 Funeral Mass be held on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in Resurrection Roman Catholic Church, 3155 Windsor Park Road, Regina, SK with Father Rick Krofchek, Celebrant. 

 Memorial donations may be made to the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic https://cancerfoundationsask.ca/donate/in-memory-gift/or the Canadian Diabetes Association 

https://www.diabetes.ca/contact/general-inquiries/saskatchewan-regional-offices