Bill Lyman, age 89, went home to be with his Lord on April 6, 2020. He was born November 23, 1930 in Butte to James W. and Ethel G. (Dolly) Lyman.
Bill received his early education in a one-room schoolhouse in Jardine and in Butte. His family moved to Hamilton in 1943 where he participated in football and track at Hamilton High School and graduated in 1949. He served in the United States Navy as a radioman on the destroyer USS McDermut from November 1950 to September 1954 during the Korean War.
Bill graduated from the University of Montana in 1958 with a degree in Business Administration. He worked for a short time at Boeing in Seattle. He returned to Montana and started his career in Helena with the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. After retirement in 1980, he worked part time for Clausen Distributing.
Bill married Shirley Anne Davis in 1955 and they had two children, Teresa and Steve. Shirley passed away in 1965.
Later he married Joy Clausen Bracken in 1967. He was actively involved in Helena’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition. He liked being at the stadium and everything about GRIZ football. He enjoyed watching NFL football, especially the Dallas Cowboys.
Bill enjoyed living on Hauser Lake during the summer months and always gathered much joy from his big vegetable garden, beautiful rose gardens and always looked forward to our family gatherings.
Bill and Joy spent their winters in Yuma, AZ where he kept active bowling, curling, riding his bike and spending time with friends on his patio with a cold drink in hand and laughter all around. He kept his neighbors in envy of his colorful nasturtiums, delicate sweet peas and geraniums in overflowing pots. Bill had a great sense of humor and was a very gregarious man that everyone loved to be around. You could always count on a wave anytime he was out on the porch and that was pretty much always!
Survivors include his wife, Joy Lyman; sons, Steve (Candy) Lyman and Scott Bracken of Helena; daughter, Teresa (Bob) Cole of Lewiston, Idaho; grandchildren, Jim (Renee) Lyman, Rick (Kerissa) Lyman, Briana and Ryan Cole, and Melissa Jensen. Bill has five great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Marjie, and daughter-in-law Leslie Bracken.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Hospice, St Peter’s Health, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601.
Cremation has taken place. A family celebration of Bill’s life will be held this summer.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Bill.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Mae & Paul Chometsky says
Our thoughts are with you at this time! We could always count on a “good morning” from Bill as we passed by.
May wonderful memories last forever in your hearts 💕
Larry and Lorraine Denbow says
So sorry for your loss we sure will miss seeing him riding his bike at araby Acres
Cathy Stewart says
Our condolences. Please know that we are thinking of Joy and Steve and Candy at this time. It is always difficult to say goodbye but we hope that family and friends sustain you through this time. Cathy and Wayne Stewart
Jack Burgess says
Our thoughts are with the family at this time.
Jack and Sue Burgess
Rita & Larry Pippinger says
Our sincere condolences to all the Lyman family. He will be missed for sure but all those good memories will linger on. Rita & Larry
Fred Abel says
Jean and I are saddened to hear this. I will miss our nasturtium comparisons (which he taught me how to grow almost as good as his) Glad I got to see him just before they returned to Helena. Condolences to Joy, Candy and Steve.
Cindy Steeno says
So sorry for your loss,I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. With Deepest Sympathy Cindy Steeno
Keith & Laurel Kristofferson says
So sorry to hear about Bill, he was a true Araby Character. We waved hello at least twice a day during bike rides. Our thoughts are with Joy, Steve and Candy. We will miss Bill.
Val and Oran Genoway says
Oran and I are wish to offer our sincere condolences to Cindy and Steve and family.
Ed & Alorie Williams says
Sorry to hear of your loss are condolences and prayers go out to Joy and all your family’s . We will miss his smile every day miss him at the curling sheets coming for doughnuts or to curl or just for a visit and my favourite watering hole weather I needed or not.
Hank McClain says
Sorry to hear of your loss. Mardia and I offer sincere condolences to your family. We were lucky to know Bill. Peace be with you. HMc
DEAN AND SHERRIE BECKSTEAD says
I am so sorry about Bill His was so happy and had time to visit. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
Jack and Anna Bryan says
So saddened to hear about Bills passing, we’ve known Bill and Joy for thirty five years, we’ve had a lot of fun during those years ,parties, Halloween dress up for quite a few years ,he stared in a men’s fashion show, we use to see who could outlast us on The parks park parties, that’s when the park furnished all the booze, and I must say no one is ever beat us, we were always the last to leave, so many fun times curling was our last fun time. You can see we were all slowing down with age. You will be remembered my most of the park for your bike rides around the park.so sorry for you Joy , thank goodness you have a great family that both you and. bill are so proud of. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you . Jack and. anna
Doug Chevillet says
Bill always had a ” Hey Doug ” for me when I was working in the park, & he was on his bike, great guy !!
Brad Bomar says
Sorry for your loss.
DEAN AND SHERRIE BECKSTEAD says
He will be missed. I enjoyed his good morning and sharing his flowers. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tim Easton says
Joy and Family.
So sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed my visits with Bill and Joy over the years. Some of my fondest memories are when I worked for The Clausen Family at Clausen Distributing in the 70s.
God Speed to you all and RIP Bill.
Jack and Sherryl Vaughn says
Jack and I will miss Bill and our Friday night dinners at the Motherlode! He always had a great story to tell and Jack really enjoyed his company. RIP Bill and may peace and healing come to you Joy, Steve, Candy and family.🙏
Rick and Sandy Harling says
Sorry for your loss. His smiling face and friendly chats will be missed at Araby Acres. Condolences to your family.
Jack & Carla LaTray says
We will miss him so much. He made us feel so welcome when we first arrived in Yuma. We all learned grace, courage, persistence, and fun from Bill. Much love to Joy, Steve, Candy, and the rest of the family.
Frank & Jan Abbott says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was one of the
“Mister Araby” guys.
Darlene McCutchon says
Expressing our deepest sympathy to you….
Although we have been gone from Araby Acres for a few years, we remember Bill’s smiles
And cheery greetings!
Ralph Wilson and Darlene McCutchon.Kenora Ontario Canada
Wilma Haupt says
My prayers go out to Joy n family for their loss! He was a wonderful man with a smile n a wave! RIP my friend!
Ron Zeiler says
My first job out of college was with Federal Highway Ad. That is where I met Bill. I liked Bill from day one as he took me under his wing at work and introduced me to the Red Meadow! I only worked there for a year but Bill has been a friend for 46 years and was a great neighbor for 11 years. It was always a joy to see him and catch up. RIP Bill and God’s peace to Joy and his family.
Allen Stenhjem Family says
Joy and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you God Bless Bill…..
.
Gary and Marianne Liedorff says
Bill will be missed! Our thoughts and prayers are being sent to the Lyman Family.
May God comfort you and give you peace of mind to know he is no longer tired or hurting and is with Our Lord and Savior!
May God Bless The Lyman Family
John Prebil says
I want to express my deepest condolence for your loss Joy. I gave known Bill for nearly fifty years, was his neighbor for a couple of years, was a pallbearer for his first wife and as the Chief Accountant at the Department of Highways was in constant contact with Bill , as his job was auditing our books for the FHWA. He was the most pleasant person I have ever known. I had never seen anything but a smile on his face. He was a rare person as I had never heard an evil word come from his mouth. Joy , it has been years since Ihave seen you, and your loss will be dearly missed with Bills passing. I really enjoyed being around this great gentleman.