[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E493-E494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LEGACY OF MR. WILLIAM MURRAY LYLES, III

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2025

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the legacy of Mr. William 
Murray Lyles, III, an extraordinary father, husband, community leader, 
and philanthropist.
  Born in Ohio, to his parents Elizabeth and William Murray Lyles, II, 
Mr. Lyles grew up in Avenal, California. As a teenager Bill began 
working with construction crews and was mentored by his uncles Mac and 
Larry Lyles, who had very successful construction careers. He then went 
on to attend Purdue University earning a degree in Civil Engineering 
and later served our country for two years in the Navy. From an early 
age Bill decided he would continue the legacy of his parents' pipeline 
business W.M. Lyles Co. established in 1945.
  In the 1970's inflation was an obstacle for many businesses; however, 
Bill understood business cycles, his solution diversification. The 
first effort of diversification began in the multifamily arena with 
Jerome Kozlowski. Fifty years later the partnership between these 
families remains as strong as ever. Additionally, with the support from 
Bill's brother Gerald, they included development, manufacturing, and 
agriculture. Today the family business continues to thrive.
  Bill wrote a memoir ``The Joy of Building'' which outlines the 
successes and failures of his work to expand economic opportunity and 
promote the Arts. He coined the term the ``Appalachian West'' to 
describe the poverty he saw in Fresno in the 1980's. He believed in the 
theory that the rising tide would lift all. He sought to promote upward 
mobility especially for minorities with his work at the Chamber of 
Commerce, The Private Industry Council, The Economic Development 
Commission, Fresno Boys and Girls Club, San Joaquin College of Law, 
Fresno City College, and Fresno State.
  As a strong patron of the Arts, he was a member of the Purdue Glee 
Club. He sang for the newly coronated Queen Elizabeth and Maime 
Eisenhower. Many knew that he would often break out into song. For 
decades, he attended and supported performances of the Fresno 
Philharmonic, Fresno Opera, and Good Company Players. He was also a 
strong supporter of Channel 18, The Fresno Met, and the Fresno Art 
Museum.
  As a longtime member of East Fresno Rotary, he lived the Four Way 
Test. In later years he found great enjoyment from the Owls. Bill 
accrued numerous accolades including, among others, an honorary 
doctorate from Fresno State, Fresno Chamber of Commerce's Leon S. 
Peters' Award, Purdue Distinguished Engineering Alumni, and Outstanding 
Philanthropist Award.
  Bill leaves behind his beloved wife Anne H. Lyles, whom he met during 
his freshman year of high school in El Paso and reconnected with later 
in life. Anne and Bill were married for 36 years. Together they enjoyed 
the simple pleasures of life and the grand adventures, they traveled 
the world, regularly attended church, antique collecting, and meals 
with loved ones. Their relationship showcased the power of enduring 
love and commitment. Bill is also survived by his sister Marybeth Seay 
(Lester), brother Gerald Lyles (Nanette), son Will Lyles (Tami), 
daughters Annarie Lyles

[[Page E494]]

(Andy Dobson), and Adriana Hayward (Bill), step daughters Pam Peiffer 
(Matt) and Trisha Duval (Pat), his first wife Valera Whitford Lyles, 
mother of Will, Annarie, and Adriana, and grandchildren Allegra, 
Alistair, Delphinia Kelsey, Tatiana, Venezia, Chloe (Nick), Lauren, 
William and Hannah.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my esteemed colleagues to join me in honoring 
the legacy of William ``Bill'' Murray Lyles, III. He will be greatly 
missed by all who knew and loved him.

                          ____________________