Reverend William P. Lytle

William (Bill) Lytle, 87, a powerful preacher and active member of FOR since 1969, died in Los Gatos, CA, on May 27, 2011.

Born July 3, 1923 in Pittsburgh, PA, Lytle followed in his father’s footsteps and became an ordained Presbyterian minister in 1947. His ministry included 14 years of service to remote ranching communities in New Mexico and mission work in Arizona. Lytle went on to serve as senior pastor at Madison Square Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, TX, and, in 1978, was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church USA. He was also active with the Dept. of Religion in Chautauqua, NY where he and his family were lifelong summer residents.

In retirement, Lytle remained involved with causes and organizations that were in favor of peace and social justice. He and his first wife, Faith, were instrumental in bringing Habitat for Humanity to San Antonio.

Just before his death, Lytle had been working on a book to elucidate his theories on People of the Way. In the notes for the book he wrote, “Maybe the time has come for religious people to use this more inclusive term. We still can declare and be proud of our roots, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, but at the same time we can declare our oneness in God’s family.  People of the Way is a term big enough to include every religion and no religion. It could well be the unifying term that the world needs.”

Lytle was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Faith Williamson Lytle. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Renate Frick Lytle, the Lytle and Frick families and a great host of witnesses to his life of love and service.