Dr. Vernon "Sonny" Hyles, Jr.

A memorial service and gathering for Dr. Vernon “Sonny” Hyles, Jr., 72, of Cleburne will be held from 12:00 Noon-6:00 P.M., Friday, September 16, 2016 at 1307 Glenhaven in Cleburne.
Dr. Vernon "Sonny" Hyles, Jr., born November 6, 1943 in Charlotte, NC to Vernon Sr. and Hattie Belle Whitton, passed to the Grey Havens on Saturday, September 10, at his home in Cleburne. Vernon is survived by his children, Joshua Hyles and Autumn Hyles of Cleburne, and Erin Hyles and Nathan Ortega, of Petaluma, CA, a brother, Charles Donald Hyles and his family (Shelly and Chance) of Canton, and his dear friend and companion, Sheryl Denson of Burleson. He had two grandchildren, Jefferson and Madison Hyles, with whom he shared his whole heart.
Vernon has served as a professor of literature for over fifty years, most recently at Hill College for over a decade. At various times in his life, Dr. Hyles was an accomplished athlete, an award-winning playwright, musician and author, an honored father and grandfather, a treasured friend and mentor, acquaintance of Steven King and Ray Bradbury (among others) and, rumor has it, a wizard of Middle Earth.
Above all things, though, Dr. Hyles has been a teacher. He has taught countless students, both in classrooms and in life; he spent his 72 years on Earth teaching us all about love, beauty, peace, and acceptance. He leaves the world around him a more enlightened place, and a more caring one.