About Us

Founded in 1950 by William J. Lyons, Jr., the W.J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. has been a cornerstone of the Rensselaer community for decades. Mr. Lyons, a dedicated lifelong resident of Rensselaer, received his early education at St. John’s Academy in Rensselaer before graduating in 1941 from Christian Brothers Academy in Albany.

The funeral home began its journey at 504 East Street in Rensselaer. In 1951, the funeral home relocated to 513 Washington Avenue, which is now known as the North End Fire Station. In 1952, Bill Lyons, Jr. married Jean M. Mahar, a local resident of Rensselaer and a beloved educator. Their partnership not only marked a personal milestone for Mr. Lyons but also contributed to the enduring legacy of the family business.

In 1956, the Lyons family celebrated the arrival of their son, William J. Lyons, III, affectionately known as “Billy.” In April 1967, the Lyons family was blessed to be able to build a new, state-of-the-art handicap accessible funeral home at its current location at 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer.

Billy worked alongside his father throughout high school and earned his funeral directors license in 1979. In 1989, the father-and-son team expanded one of the chapels, creating one of the largest chapels in the Capital District.



Following the passing of Mr. Lyons, Jr. in 1997, Billy proudly carried on the family legacy. In 2007, Caitlin Mooney joined the funeral home and completed her residency with the firm. She became a licensed funeral director in 2008, and after ten years of dedicated service, Caitlin was welcomed as a partner, further strengthening the funeral home’s long-standing commitment to the community and to excellence in service.