Shearwood Winston Lyons passed away Tuesday, June 18, at his home with his family.

Lyons was a lifelong resident of the Vicksburg community. He graduated in 1947 from Jett High School, where he played football and basketball.

He retired as a captain from the Vicksburg Fire Department after 21 years of service.

Lyons also worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District Mat Sinking Unit for a year before retiring with 16 years of service as a security guard from Waterways Experiment Station.

He was married to the love of his life Wilma Allen Lyons for nearly 70 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Allen Lyons; parents, J.B. and Velma Lyons; siblings, Lorena Gullett, D.W. Lyons, Katherine Lyons, Edith Farmer, Fay Parker, Bobby Lyons and Larry Lyons.

Lyons is survived by his sisters, Ann Lobred and Annette King(Ross); three sons, Sherwood Lyons Jr. (Melissa), Joe Lyons (Cindy) and Mike Lyons (Kayla); two daughters, Vickie Williamson (Darrell) and Belynda Waring (Howard); 14 grandchildren, Winston Lyons, Cassidy Pickens, Allen Lyons (LeeAnna), Craig Williamson (Kala), Cris Williamson (Stacie), Michael David Williamson, Joey Lyons (Shannon), Laura Beth Strickland (Michael), Leslie Hosemann (Mark), Charles Waring (Lauren), Natalie Muirhead (Jordan), Pierson Waring (Madelon), Kyle Bolton and Elan Lyons; and 30 great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Wikstrom (Harley); Presley Pickens, Slade, Adelyn, and Anna Layne Lyons, Josh and Kenley Williamson, Mollee, Gracie, Jake, Edge, Reason and Michael Maize Williamson, Reese, Joseph and Crosby Lyons, May, Michael, Hunter and Hadley Strickland, Manse, Howard, and Bobby Hosemann, Veo and Charlie Waring, Ben and Waring Muirhead, and Daniel, Mary Cline and Sherwood “Woods” Waring; and one great-great grandchild, Kimber Wikstrom. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, and wonderful friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, June 21, at 2 p.m. before the funeral.

The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home at 5000 Indiana Avenue with Pastor Roger Cresswell officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Winston Lyons, Allen Lyons, Craig Williamson, Cris Williamson, Michael David Williamson, Joey Lyons, Charles Waring, Pierson Waring and Elan Lyons.

Honorary pall bearers are Kyle Bolton, Craig Allen, Larry Burroughs, Melvin Ragan, Steve Randall, Howard Brent and the Vicksburg Fire Department.

The family would like to thank special caregivers Stephanie Squire, Rose Hunt, Shanna Wright, Janelle Williams, Elesie Chambers, Anita, Pat Wilson, Rena Cain, Tiffany Walker, Linda Neal, Edna Taylor, Michelle Bailey, the staff of Enhabit Hospice, Dr. Sam Pierce and Baleigh Ford.

He loved the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was always caring for others.

He loved to be around people sharing stories and making others laugh. His laugh and giggle were his most memorable traits.

He was a true outdoorsman, spending a great amount of time hunting, fishing and gardening. His greatest pride and joy were his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He especially loved to share his love of deer hunting at the family property at Chotard. He loved to ride with his oldest son to take care of the cows and to go fishing.

He loved to share his garden with friends and family, especially his tomatoes. He enjoyed watching sporting events and sharing his old tricks to excel in each game.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Micah’s Mission, 900 Crawford Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180; Little Light House of Central Mississippi, 6000 Old Canton Rd, Jackson, MS 39211; or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101.