William Francis Lyons Jr., a 53 year resident of Warrington, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2013 at his current residence at Wesley Enhanced Living in Doylestown. He was the caring and beloved husband of the late Joan Marie Donahue Lyons, who passed away in 2004. Born in Philadelphia in April 1928, he was the son of the late William F. and Mary Elizabeth (Crowley) Lyons. He was proudly raised in St. Benedict’s parish and graduated in 1946 from North Catholic High School. He immediately entered the U. S. Navy as a radio technician and served two years on a destroyer in and around Europe. After an honorable discharge, he used his G.I. Bill to attend Villanova University, where he graduated in 1952 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. While at Villanova he began an internship at Johnsville Naval Air Station in Warminster, PA (later renamed Naval Air Development Center). After graduation he began full time work there as an Electronics Engineer. During his long and distinguished career at NADC (33 years) he received a U.S. Patent (1967) for a Retrace Insertion System, the Ralph S. Barnaby Award from the Naval Civilian Administrator’s Association (1975), the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award (1985) and was a member of the Senior Executive Service. He had the opportunity, through his navigation and communication work, to travel around the world, including Hawaii, Japan, Italy and England and spent several weeks aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. America in the Mediterranean Sea. One of his favorite experiences was in 1976 when he had the unique opportunity to meet several Russian Cosmonauts and give them a tour of the facility. He retired from NADC in 1985 as Director, Directorate of Communication/Navigation Technology. Never one to remain idle for long, he joined Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation, Warminster, in 1989. He continued working at Navmar as Vice President, Systems Engineering and Sr. Technical Advisor, eventually working part-time until late 2011. He officially retired at the age of 83, after spearheading an NADC reunion and collecting and publishing a book of interesting and entertaining stories regarding the history of NADC. The 22 years he spent at Navmar were fulfilling both professionally and personally. He cherished the friendships he had there, not only with his former NADC “buddies” but the numerous employees whom he worked with every day. Even with his esteemed career, he was most proud of his lifetime commitment to God and his church. He was a founding parishioner of St. Robert Bellarmine church in Warrington where he was active in the Fr. John Nees picnic for the physically challenged, the St. Vincent De Paul Society, Catholic Charities, the School Building, Parish Council and multiple other church committees over 44 years. Prior to that time he was active in The Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph’s and Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishes as he moved within the area. He made retreats as a Man of Malvern for over 51 years. Bill is survived by his children, Bill (Cathy) of Harrisburg, Katie of Warrington, Tina DiBiaso (Kevin) of Warrington, Andy (Pauline) of Warrington and Jim (Vitalia) of Chalfont. In addition to his 15 grandchildren, he recently welcomed his first great-grandchild this year. He is also survived by a brother Paul (Jeannie) of Jenkintown and his sister Helen (Al) of Trumbull, Connecticut. He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Powell and brothers; Tom, Jack, Joe, and Bob. Bill touched the lives of many people with his generosity, Christian spirit and charity, work ethic, love and appreciation of education, and his dry sense of humor. He will be fondly remembered for his love to sing around the piano with friends and family and caring very much for all people. He will be greatly missed. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 856 Euclid Avenue in Warrington. Interment will follow at St. John Neumann Cemetery. His family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, November 8, 2013 at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church and from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Saturday, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Philabundance 3616 South Galloway Street, Phila, Pa 19148, St. Joseph/St. Roberts School 856 Euclid Warrington, PA. 18976 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.