Willis Carson Lyons

AIKEN, SC – Dr. Willis Carson Lyons, Jr., formerly of Williamsburg, VA passed away Sunday, April 27, 2014.  He was 85 years old. Funeral services will be held 3:00 PM, Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at the Shellhouse Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mike Phillips officiating.  Interment will follow in Aiken Memorial Gardens. Originally from Corbin, KY he received degrees from the University of Kentucky, University of Texas and the University of Maryland in aerospace engineering. He spent his career in research for the Department of Defense and NASA, in part helping design the nosecones for the Apollo space capsules. While in Texas, Carson met the love of his life Dorothy Roden.  They were blessed to be married for 60 years.  With two children they enjoyed travel, art, music and theatre.  Carson, known as Ddad, was greatly loved by his grandchildren and will be missed by many family and friends. Dr. Lyons was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Willis Carson and Thelma Lyons; a sister, Theo Sommer; and a son; Mark Carson Lyons. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Roden Lyons; a daughter, Kim (Larry) Laughlin; daughter-in-law, Selina Lyons Villalpando; grandchildren, Mike (Tara) Laughlin, Laura (Nathan) Whittaker, Amy Laughlin, Crystal Lyons, Valerie Lyons and Andrew Laughlin. Dr. Lyons was a man of resolute faith in the almighty God and the Son for his salvation.  The family takes comfort in knowing his suffering has ended and he lives eternally in heaven. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dr. Lyons name may be directed to the Savannah River Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 3694, Aiken, SC 29802. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willis Carson Lyons, please visit our flower store.