Obituary Detail
October 19, 1930
May 30, 2019
May 30, 2019
October 19, 1930 --
May 30, 2019
Willis Lyford, Age:88
W MARTIN LYFORD, 88, passed away May 30, 2019 at his home in Christian Care Senior Services in Allen. Martin was born in Brooklawn, NJ, October 19, 1930 to William John and Alice Marie (McKenna) Lyford. He graduated from Lehigh University with an Electrical Engineering degree and began work with GE. It was while working with GE that he received his patent for an automatic meter counter.
Martin worked for many years in engineering before moving to sales and services in the financial industry world. The next 25 years spent in the financial industry began as Manager of North American Financial Terminal Division of Olivetti, and ended as Senior Financial Executive (broker).
Martin followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a Demolay at age 19. He was active in the Shriners for over 60 years. An avid historian, he spent 34 years as a Son of the American Revolution. Martin was also an Ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church. While serving as Elder on Session at Bentwood Trail, he was known as the "Pond Keeper". He would take his beloved Lab, Thor, daily to fetch tennis balls from the pond.
For fun, Martin played tennis or fished. After retirement, his goal was to play tennis 5 or 6 days a week. Besides tennis he loved fishing. Everyone said he would take time off from tuna fishing off the Jersey shore, on the Alison, to go to work in Manhattan. Beverly had a hard time slowing him down enough to pond fish for bass, on a paddle boat.
Martin is survived by his wife of 34 years, Beverly (Holder) Lyford. His 5 children and 2 stepsons, 11 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren, and 1 great grandson.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Allen, 605 S. Greenville, Allen, TX 75002.
A Commital Service will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the pond at Bentwood Trail Presbyterian Church, 6000 Bentwood Trail, Dallas, TX 75252.
