Joseph Francis Lyles, 83, of Lexington, Virginia, died Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Born October 28, 1929, a son of the late Claude E Lyles and Dorothy Heidger Lyles.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Nolan Lyles, two brothers Claude E Lyles Jr., Gordon T. Lyles; and one nephew, Thomas Lyles.

Mr. Lyles was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Coach Joe Lyles was on the faculty of Washington & Lee University for 50 years, coaching varsity baseball for 20 years and soccer for 17 years, and was the coordinator of 15 club sports when he retired.

Coach attended St. Louis University, where he was a member of the 1948-49 N.I.T. championship basketball team.

He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass. In 1949, he left St. Louis University to play professional baseball in the St. Louis Browns' organization for five years and professional basketball for four years with St. Louis, Washington, and Chicago organizations. In 1952, Joe went on a world tour, visiting 44 countries as a member of the US All-Stars versus the Harlem Globetrotters.

Surviving are his two nephews, Claude E Lyles III, John Lyles; seven nieces, Valerie Drane Bellman, Patricia Wanko, Suzanne Frisella, Theresa Kettenbrink, Janean Hensley, Joan Chenault, Diane Boliaux; one sister-in-law, Carol Lyles Dustmann.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, November 19, 2012, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with the Father Joseph D'Aurora officiating. Burial will follow at Stonewall Jackson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Washington & Lee University Development Office, 204 W. Washington Street, Lexington, VA 24450. The family will receive friends 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, November 18, 2012, at Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington.