Donald "Doc" L. Reagan
Donald L. “Doc” Reagan, age 88, of Palmyra Township, passed away on September 16, 2026, at his home. He was born September 11, 1938, in New Baltimore, Ohio, to Herfie Garfield and Orma Orpha (Cutlip) Reagan.
William Edward Lyle
The Rev. William “Bill” Edward Lyle passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. He was 100.
Bill will be remembered for the way he dove into life, exploring its crevices and evolving and growing as the century of his life unfolded. He dedicated much of his long life in service to others, and buoyed those around him with support, humor, and love. Bill will be deeply missed and remembered for his non-judgmental nature, natural curiosity, wit, calming presence, and affectionate smile.
Bill was born June 8, 1926, in Mount Hope, West Virginia as the oldest of four children to the late Margie and Ernest “Ernie” Lyle. In his early years, his family relocated to Michigan. He had fond memories of visiting the beach and sand dunes at Lake Michigan as a child and recalled having the lead role in his ninth-grade school play. He often moved throughout the Detroit area during his youth, ultimately graduating in 1944 from Western High School in Detroit, Michigan where he hitch-hiked to and from school that year. As a teenager, Bill’s father fell ill and he took a job in an office to help the family, pausing high school for a year. His life-long love of sports started at age eight with the Detroit Tigers.
He followed the Tigers and the Michigan Wolverines for the next 92 years. Bill always had a game on the radio and passed along his love of baseball to his children. Well into their adult lives, they would always connect over the latest sports news. He also enjoyed a challenging game of basketball, bridge, chess, pool, or ping pong.
Bill maintained loving relationships with his three siblings throughout his life, with many family gatherings that eventually included their children and grandchildren. Bill and his brother Don would challenge the kids to stump them with questions. They claimed that between the two of them they knew everything – if one of them didn’t know, the other was sure to have the answer.
Following high school, Bill took a job as a mail carrier and played on a sandlot football team. He fondly remembered his time with the Post Office and worked there until he was drafted into the United States Navy in the summer of 1944. Bill recalls standing in the draft line watching the others either receive a stamp of ARMY or NAVY on their papers and often thinks about how that moment impacted his life. He trained as a radar operator, and served in World War II, stationed on the heavy cruiser USS Macon until he was honorably discharged in July 1946.
Following his naval service, Bill attended Kent State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy in 1950. During this time in Kent, he met his wife, Phyllis, and they were married in 1949. Later in life, Bill said about Phyllis, “looking back, I now say that my life was turned upside down. I was taken – completely taken.” Bill and Phyllis had a full life together, raising four children, pursuing their passions, serving others, and making time
for family and friends. They created a home filled with love and respect; they encouraged their children to follow their dreams and gave them the support they needed.
Bill was never shy about following his own dreams. In 1952, he went on to earn his master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and later obtained a teaching certificate from Wayne State University in Michigan. He enjoyed teaching secondary school at various times throughout his life. Eventually, he was drawn to the ministry and attended Bexley Hall seminary at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, graduating in 1961 and taking his first position as an Assistant Minister at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pontiac, Michigan. He was ordained as an episcopal Priest on December 29, 1961.
In the 1960s, Bill became a vocal supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. He often preached to his congregation on what he believed to be the “Christian responsibility in those troubled times.” Following violent protests in Selma, Alabama in the Spring of 1965, Bill traveled with clergy friends from Cleveland to Selma to join other clergy from around the country and march with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bill recalled gathering in a church to listen to Dr. King speak where the gravity of the moment crystallized for Bill. Following the march, he returned to his congregation to share his experiences and continued to preach for civil rights.
Not being one to sit still, Bill would move on from one role to the next for most of his life, back and forth between teaching and the church. He was a minister at Episcopal churches across Ohio, including Cleveland, Chagrin Falls, Ravenna, East Cleveland, and Salem. In 1969, he became a full-time philosophy instructor at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio and remained there until 1976. He and his oldest daughter, Roxana, experienced the tumultuous times during and after the May 4, 1970, shootings at Kent State. He recalled listening to students during this time to help them cope with what happened and support them with his presence.
Bill lived a life in service to others not only as a WWII veteran, a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement, a minister, and a teacher, but also as a volunteer for many causes. He actively supported his wife, Phyllis, in her career as a teacher and her independent activism. Bill remained happily married to Phyllis and cared for her through an extended two-year illness before she died in 1998.
Bill met his second wife, Martie, at an Episcopal church in Salem, Ohio, and they were married in the fall of 1999. Shortly after they were married, Martie fell ill and Bill faithfully cared for her as she battled her illness. Bill and Martie traveled to England just a few days after 9-11, deciding not to cancel the trip they were so excited to share. Martie died in 2007, and Bill moved back to Kent to be near his children.
At a luncheon for retired clergy in 2008, Bill met Betty. They were married in 2009, enjoying 17 years together. They traveled the country and spent summers relaxing at their lake home in western Ohio. Bill loved music of all genres, including jazz, pop, and classical. He happily accompanied Betty, an accomplished violinist, to her practices and concerts with the Springfield
and Lima orchestras. Betty’s compassionate and loving care for Bill allowed him to remain in their home until he passed.
Bill cherished his grandchildren, who always felt his love and support for their passions in life. They were often impressed when Grandpa had the latest tech before they did and will fondly remember his vast collection of hats, especially the bucket hats. Grandpa inspired them with his life of service and activism and always met them with a warm embrace. He was a grandpa who was interested in their lives, whether by picking them up at preschool, attending sports games, visiting them during college, or coming to their new homes as young adults, wanting updates on their lives and reminding them that they could do anything, be anyone, and always be supported.
Bill was survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Kaser Lyle; his four children Roxana Lyle (Rodney Welch), Randall Lyle, Nina Lalich (the late Michael), and Aimee Zeller (Jim); four grandchildren, Meghann Dunlap Kang (Eugene Kang), Michael Lalich (Christine), Daniel Lalich (Hope), and Rachel Welch; his sister Ruth Palmer (the late Kenneth); and a growing list of beloved great-grandchildren.
Being blessed with a big, blended family, Bill was also survived by his three stepdaughters Kirsten Nelson (Thomas), Christie Andersen (Brad Bolton), and Darby Williamson (the late G. Ronald); 13 step-grandchildren Mary Robinson, Anthony Anderson, Adam Anderson (Jamie), April Stankiewicz (Mark), John Zeller (Jacqueline), Sara Zeller (Drew Mallone), Brennan Nelson (Andra), Sara Williamson, Daniel Andersen (Melanie), and Matthew Andersen; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends and loved ones.
Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife of 49 years, Phyllis (born Robbins) Lyle, cherished wife of eight years, Martha “Martie” Lyle, grandson Zachary Dunlap, step-grandson John Robinson, sister Mary Soper, and brother Robert “Don” Lyle.
Family and friends are welcome to honor Bill at a celebration of life being held at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 7121 Muirfield Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43017 on October 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The celebration service will be followed by an interment and reception at the church.
Those wishing to honor Bill’s memory may donate to St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 7121 Muirfield Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43017 (www.pats-dublin.org/giving); Dublin Food Pantry, 6608 Dublin Center Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43017 (www.dublinfoodpantry.org/donate); or Safer Futures, 705 Oakwood Street, Suite 221, Ravenna, Ohio 44266 (www.axessfamilyservices.org/services/shelter-housing/safer-futures). The family is deeply grateful for the care of Wilma A., Wendy G., Lee S., and Luminary Hospice who offered their loving support and care with dignity.