Dr. William M Lyles, DHL, an engineer, businessman, longtime community philanthropist and ardent supporter of Fresno State, passed away on March 26. He was 91.
“Bill Lyles and his family have been pillars of our community, embodying the true spirit of generosity, leadership and dedication,” said Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “Bill’s entrepreneurial vision and his commitment to empowering future generations have left an indelible mark on our university and the entire Central Valley. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide us, reminding us of the power of compassion, community and the pursuit of excellence. We are deeply grateful for the privilege of being part of Bill’s lasting impact, one that exemplifies the very best of humanity.”
Bill Lyles
As the leader of the Lyles Group for more than five decades, Dr. Lyles lived by the mantra, “joy is in the building.” His passion for construction was rooted in his work with the family business, W. M. Lyles Co., which was founded in 1945 by his parents, Bill Sr. and Elizabeth Lyles, in Avenal. Dr. Lyles, a Purdue University civil engineering graduate and U.S. Navy officer, rejoined the family business after serving abroad.
In 1965, after the death of his father, the third-generation engineer assumed leadership of W. M. Lyles Co. Under his visionary direction, and with the support of his brother Gerald Lyles and a dedicated team of employees and partners, the company grew and evolved into Lyles Diversified Inc. His companies have been involved in construction, real estate, development, underground pipeline and utility construction, and heavy concrete and mechanical construction.
Dr. Lyles’ impact extended far beyond the business world. He was deeply committed to improving the economic vitality of the Fresno community, dedicating decades of service to a variety of nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Lyles was a longtime strategic advisor and benefactor to Fresno State, assisting with numerous projects at the university. Emulating the epitome of philanthropy, he served on the Craig School Business Advisory Council, the Maddy Institute Board of Directors, the Board of Governors for the California State University, Fresno Foundation and was a longtime member of the university’s President’s Circle. In recognition of his service, advocacy and contributions, Dr. Lyles was awarded the California State University, Fresno Foundation Service Award in 1999 for meritorious services or contributions made to California State University, Fresno, and the Fresno community and, in 2001, was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters by the California State University trustees.
“Bill Lyles was a thoughtful and gracious philanthropist, visionary leader and a man of great integrity — his impact on Fresno State and the broader Central Valley will be felt for generations,” said Vinci Ricchiuti, chair of the Fresno State Foundation Board of Governors. “Bill’s contributions to Fresno State and the values he championed — excellence, collaboration and community — will continue to inspire and shape our region, state, and nation. We are profoundly grateful for his enduring legacy and his unwavering belief in the promise and power of education.”
In 2003, Dr. Lyles partnered with Fresno State in creating the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. A generous gift from the Lyles Family Foundation funded the dream of a brand new facility, which opened in April 2006. The Lyles Center is a nationally-ranked entrepreneurship center with a successful track record of inspiring students, faculty, alumni and community leaders to act on ideas that build a prosperous future.
Another transformative contribution was his support of the Lyles College of Engineering at Fresno State. In 2008, Fresno State took a major step forward in educating more students in the Central Valley for careers in engineering and construction management thanks to a generous gift from the Lyles family.
In 2017, Dr. Lyles was awarded the Fresno State Alumni Association’s Arthur Safstrom Service Award which honors an alumna or alumnus, faculty, staff or friend of Fresno State who has made significant impact on the university through dedication of time, talent or treasure.
“Bill had an extraordinary passion for student success. He often spoke about the power of upward social mobility and deeply valued the opportunities available to students in the Lyles College of Engineering,” said Dr. Ram Nunna, dean of the Lyles College. “In his meetings with students, he would share stories from his own life journey, expressing genuine admiration for their resilience and achievements — often moved to tears by their determination and dreams. The faculty, staff and students of the Lyles College of Engineering are forever grateful to Bill Lyles and the entire Lyles family for the lasting and transformational impact they have made on our college and community.”
A celebration of life will be held on May 13, which will be announced soon. Jiménez-Sandoval has ordered that Fresno State flags be posted at half-staff that same day in honor of Dr. Lyles.
