Lyle was born on November 26, 1922, near Searsboro, Iowa to Albert and Wilma Smith Johnson. He attended rural schools and graduated from Searsboro High School with the Class of 1940. On February 23, 1945, he was married to Georgia Rose Onthank in Grinnell. The family farmed near Grinnell and Malcom before moving to Searsboro. He operated a grain and livestock farm east of Searsboro for 30 years. He was a member of various neighborhood clubs at Searsboro and enjoyed raising horses and restoring antique farm tractors. He is survived by his wife, Rose Johnson of Searsboro; one son, Lynn A. Johnson of Iowa City; four grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Lucille Gooch. Memorials may be directed to the Searsboro Fire Department.