William Albert Lytton

William “Bill” Albert Lytton holed out his final putt in the round of this life in the early morning of October 22nd. He walked off the green holding the hands of his wife and son, and into the arms of his Heavenly Father and to the cheers of his parents, his daughter Mary Louise Lytton Cowles and numerous golf partners and friends that had finished their rounds before him. His loving savior, Jesus Christ, already signed and attested Bill’s scorecard on a life well played.

William was born to the late Albert J and Louise Corbett Lytton on April 3rd, 1941 in Oxford, NC. The town played such pivotal roles in his life. He learned to play golf at an early age at Thorndale Country Club where he spent many of his days caddying as a youth. Bill graduated Oxford High School in the class of 1959 with many who became lifelong friends and who, as an only child, Bill considered as family.

His passion for golf took him to the University of North Carolina where he spent time playing golf and working at Finley Golf Club while studying history. Following college he entered the United States Coast Guard and served his country as a reservist. This stint honed his discipline, leadership skills and one of his lessons he taught to always be prepared or ready.

However, it was his childhood goal to become a golf club professional. Bill was elected into the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of America in March of 1969 and would later obtain Life Member status. As a proud member of the Carolinas Section of the PGA Of America, Bill sought to grow the game of golf and develop its professional members. He would later hold every elected office in the leadership of the Carolinas Section of the PGA, serving as Section Vice President (1985-1986) and President (1987-1988) and as a National PGA Of America District Director (1988-1989). Additionally, he served on several committees including the PGA National Section - Affairs committee, PGA Tournament and Competition committee, PGA Hall of Fame committee, Carolinas Club Relations committee, and the Carolinas Education committee as both a Chair and member. He received the Carolinas PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award in both 1985 and 1986 and was named the Carolinas PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1990.

As a result of this lifelong dedication to his fellow professionals, Bill was recently announced as an Inductee of the Carolinas Section PGA of America Hall of Fame. Thankfully an announcement that he was able to be aware of before finishing his round. The family will participate in the official ceremony to be held in early 2024.

Another lesson that Bill stressed was a responsibility to others. This included fixing an extra ball mark on a green or raking someone else’s footsteps in a bunker so that you always left the golf course better than you found it. To that end William “Bill” Albert Lytton has walked off of life’s course leaving it remarkably better than he found it.

Those left to cherish the many blessings of his life well played are his wife of nearly 57 years, Elaine McIntyre Lytton, his son Albert Gordon Lytton and wife Angela, and his grandchildren Jordan McKenzie Lytton, Albert J Lytton, Worth Baber Talmadge Lytton, Mary Katelaine Cowles and James William Cowles, along with special cousin Tommy Hawkins, other cousins, cherished in-laws, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service for the life of William “Bill” Albert Lytton will be held at the Oxford United Methodist Church at 105 W McClanahan Street, Oxford, NC 27565 on November 4th at 11:30 AM with a time of fellowship and celebration following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Medi Home Health and Hospice

403 South Main Street

Suite 101

Sparta, NC 28675

or

Ebenezer United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 981

Elkin, NC 28621

Or

Oxford United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 757

Oxford, NC 27565

Or a charity of your choice.

The family is honorably being served by Elkin Funeral Service, 560 NC Hwy 286 West, PO Box 192, Elkin, North Carolina 28621