We regret to advise of the death of Brigadier General William Kirby Lye, MBE, MiD, CD on 6 May 2009 in his 91st year.
BGen Lye was an RMC graduate who went overseas during the Second World War with 16th Field Company and was later Second-in-Command of 1st Field Company. In England, he was also Chief Instructor of the Engineer Reinforcement Unit. He was Mentioned in Despatches and appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his distinguished service in 1944 as Staff Officer Royal Engineers, Headquarters 2 Canadian Corps.
BGen Lye's post-war appointments include: Deputy Commander, Canadian Forces Base Units, Middle East (United Nations Emergency Force); Commander, Camp Chilliwack and Commandant, Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering; Commander Canadian Base Units (Europe); Commander, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Area; Chief of Staff, Administration, at Headquarters Mobile Command; Senior Assistant Adjutant General and Directors General Ordnance Systems and Land Operations in Canadian Forces Headquarters. BGen Lye retired in 1973 after his assignment as Commandant Royal Military College, Kingston.
Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, Ottawa on Monday, 11 May from 7 to 9 p.m. Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Anglican Church, 1230 Bank Street, Ottawa on Tuesday, 12 May at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Salvation Army would be appreciated.