William Lyon Coley

William Lyon Coley, 88, of Abbottswood of Raleigh went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, November 20, 2013 after a short illness. Lyon was born May 4, 1925 to the late Marcellite Lyon Coley and Henry Sauls Coley. Lyon grew up in the old Oakwood community, third generation of Raleigh attending Thompson School, one year at Hugh Morson, then to Christ Episcopal Prep School in Asheville where he graduated in 1943, then attended NCSU with a major in Chemical Engineering. Lyon worked for the DOT for 30 years as an engineer, Lyon was known for his love of making pyrotechnics, and was given the nickname Nitro. He was known for his dry sense of humor, always enjoyed making others laugh. He loved to collect old phonographs, he loved music, which included singing in the choir and making a small working pipe organ. He had a lifelong interest in railroading, especially the turn of the century steam engines and trains. He was raised in the First Baptist Church of Raleigh, a former member of the Leesville Road Baptist Church and is a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church. He was preceded by his wife of 42 years, the late Dorothy Lelia Bryant Coley and son William Lyon Coley, Jr. Surviving are his daughter Judy Bryant Coley Reibel and son-in-law Dr. Donald B. Reibel of Raleigh and Tequesta, FL. Cousins Tucker Lyon of St George, SC and Smithfield, NC; Lalita Lyon Cofer of Cape Coral, FL; William Joyner of Atlanta, GA.; Reid Joyner of Charlotte, NC and Ed Skip Joyner of Richmond, VA; and many nieces and nephews by marriage which he dearly loved. The family would like to thank the Staff of Abbottswood for all the wonderful care that was given over the past 3 years, to the Staff of 4 East at Rex Hospital and Hospice House for the loving care given in his last days of life. Visitation will be 10:00 am Saturday, November 23 at Tabernacle Baptist Church, The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am at the Church. There will be a private family interment, to follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh. The family will also receive friends and family on Friday, November 22, 2013 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at 13136 Ashford Park Drive, Raleigh, 27613. The family request in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the Hospice House of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or the Music Fund at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 8304 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613