Lyle William Wilcox was born in Hamilton, Montana, to William and Helen (Butchart) Wilcox on November 8, 1925. He passed away peacefully on September 29, 2012 at Pershing General Hospital in Lovelock, Nevada.
Raised in the Bitterroot Valley in Montana, Lyle graduated from Darby High School in Darby Montana in the summer of 1943. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the Army-Air Corps with the hopes of becoming a pilot during World War II. After leaving the service, he worked for the Forest Service in Montana where he spent many lonely nights up in the towers keeping watch. In the fall of 1947, Lyle went to visit his sister, Wilma and her husband Bill McCart in Lovelock, Nevada. It was during that time that he met and fell in love with his future bride, Juanita Joyce Giusti. They were married shortly after on February 15, 1948. They started a family not long afterwards with the arrival of their daughter, Joyce Lynne (Burns), followed by son, Rodney James (Wilcox) and finally youngest daughter, Rachelle (Shelley) Helen (Gore).
Lyle was a "Jack of all trades." He worked as mechanic, freight hauler and numerous other jobs. He finally joined his father-in-law, Julio Giusti, as partners of California Garage, AAA Towing and Chevy Dealership. It wasn't unusual to see his children working with him in the garage.
In 1959, he was elected as a councilman to the City Council. In 1965, he became Mayor of Lovelock. He served 18 years as Mayor, retiring in November of 1983. During his term in office he was instrumental in getting the streets paved, city water and sewer along with many other major projects. He was still consulted by the City Council and Mayors that followed him for many years after his retirement. He was also honored to be appointed the First President of the Nevada League of Cities.
During his lifetime he was involved in many community organizations. These included: Eagles, Masonic Lodge, Kerak Shriners, Lions, Lovelock Volunteer Fire Department, Little Theatre, Toastmasters, and the Scottish Rites.
In his free time, Lyle was an Outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, and anything else involving being outside. He enjoyed travelling and met many close friends over the years.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother and 2 younger brothers, Jack and Ernie.
He is survived by his wife, Juanita; 3 children: Lynne (Bob) Burns, Rodney (Joyce) Wilcox and Shelley (Larry) Gore; 7 grandchildren: Theresa Milner, Tim Burns, Kabra Gore, RJ Wilcox, Alissa Miller, Loren Wilcox, and Ragina Gore; and great-grandchildren: Brandon, Delaine, Joey, Cheylo, Robyn, Dane, Daffnee, Alex, Daisy, Justin, Adison and Ozzy; and siblings: Wilma McCart, Shirley McGourty, and Cody Wilcox.
A celebration of his life was held on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at Grace-St. Francis Community Church at 11:00am.
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