Willie E. Lyles is from Union, SC.  He now resides in Columbia, SC. Willie is married to the former Sarah Johnson (’72) of Moncks Corner ,SC.  He has five children, eleven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.


Willie retired as Band Director of The Marching Keenan Raider "Rubber" Band after 34 yrs.  Keenan's musical groups were rated superior or excellent on all competition levels from state to nationals. Several of his formers students are performing, teaching and playing professionally around the world.

He directed  the South Carolina State University Jazz Ensemble.  He is a graduate of SCSU where he performed in all the bands, and was student director and graduate assistant for the 101.  Willie was a founding member of Kappa Kappa Psi(SCSU), The Palmetto Invitational Marching Band Festival, and the South Carolina Band Directors Association Jazz Ensemble Committee. 


​  Music is Life and Life is Good