Mississippi College Communication Professor Billy Lytal Dies

Dr. Billy Lytal

The former longtime chairman of Mississippi College’s Communication Department who served as a mentor to generations of MC students, Billy Lytal died Tuesday after a battle with leukemia.

A 1961 MC graduate, Lytal worked for 35 years at his alma mater, including two decades as director of the Learning Resources Center from its inception on the Clinton campus.

Dedicated to his students and a masterful teacher at MC, the Baldwyn native was instrumental in the growth of STAR 93.5, the MC radio station. He was an inspiration to young graduates early in their broadcasting careers.

“Dr. Lytal saw the potential and took delight in all of his students,” said WLBT-TV 3 chief meteorologist Barbie Bassett, a 1993 MC communication graduate. “His wisdom was always timely and his quick wit often softened the challenges he gave us,” she said.  “I could always count on Dr. Lytal to be my toughest coach and my biggest fan when it came to pursuing my career ambitions.”

Bassett’s new book “Forecasts and Faith: Five Keys to Weathering the Storms of Life,” commends Lytal for being one of those who expressed confidence in her. When Bassett expressed her interest in going into television meteorology, Lytal was among the first to give it his complete backing.“Hearing Dr. Lytal’s confidence in me was a plus,” she said in the book.

A Mississippi College communication professor and veteran radio announcer, Russ Brashear first met Lytal when he was an MC freshman in 1972, with his parents living more than a thousand miles away in Ohio.

“He practically raised me with my parents living so far away,” Brashear said. As a professor, “Dr. Lytal expected you to do things the right way. There was no wiggle room. Whatever success I had in radio, it all goes back to him.”

Brashear is a longtime radio and TV announcer of high school and college football games in Mississippi.

Lytal, who received a master’s degree from the University of Mississippi and doctorate at the University of Southern Mississippi, was first hired in 1965 to teach theatre and mass media when Hollis Todd served as chairman of the MC department.

Lytal became head of the Learning Resources Center in 1981 and two years later was named chairman of the Communication Department where he served for 15 years. He also served as London Professor of Residence for the 1994 and 2000 terms. The 2003-2004 MC Tribesman staff dedicated its annual to Dr. Lytal, citing his “unending devotion.” In 2008 he was awarded a Lifetime Member of the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters.

Ron Howard, MC vice president for academic affairs, says Lytal was one of the most creative teachers he’s ever known. “He could do so many things well. He had a dedication and such a great heart for students.”

Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Cliff Forteberry praises Lytal for bringing structure to the communication undergraduate program. “Dr. Lytal was the primary force behind its success,” Fortenberry said. “He created the atmosphere in which the public relations program grew and long before it was popular to do so, encouraged the growth of public relations as a major emphasis.”

Until about a year ago when he stepped down due to his illness, Lytal worked as an adjunct professor at MC. He also served as a consultant and adviser to the radio station, also known by the call letters WHJT in recognition of Hollis and Julia Todd, who were the pioneers in the Department of Communication.

Bassett and others in the MC family say he will be greatly missed. “His constant nudging turned out to be one of the greatest blessings I’ve had in my life.”

“Dr. Lytal made it possible for me to return to MC, recommended me for the department chair position, loved my children and made a singular, positive difference in their lives,” Fortenberry said. “All of us who knew him as mentor, supervisor, friend and associate consider ourselves to be lucky to have had him in our lives.”

Married to Linda Eldridge Lytal, who served in the MC psychology and counseling department, Lytal was also dedicated to his family. The Clinton resident was the father of two daughters, Tara Lytal and Heather Lytal Broadwater, and grandfather of three grandchildren, Morgan Broadwater (14), Mitchell Broadwater (12), and Michael Broadwater (5).

The Lakewood Funeral Home on Clinton Boulevard  is in charge of funeral arrangements. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday and 1-2 p.m. Friday with the funeral to immediately follow.

The family request memorials to the Mississippi College Dr. Bill Lytal Scholarship Fund or St. John's United Methodist Church in Clinton.