Born in the town of Igosun, George Adebiyi was one of five children - two boys and three girls - born to a father who was a Baptist minister and civil service worker, and a school-teacher mother. He obtained his B.S., (1st Class Hons.) in 1969 and the PhD. Degrees in March 1973 from the University of Manchester, England. He later obtained Diploma in Further Education (a University of Leeds Award) from Huddersfield Polytechnic, England, in 1977.

From 1969 till his home going, Dr. Adebiyi occupied many positions in the private sector and academic world where he occupied progressively responsible including - Trainee Field Engineer, Shell-BP (Nig.) Ltd., Lagos, Nigeria (1973); Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria (1973-1975); Faculty/Head of Department/Director of School, Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin, Nigeria(1975-1979); Rector (College President), The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Nigeria (1979-1985); Visiting Professor of Physics and Engineering, Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi (Sabbatical Leave) (1984-1985); Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS(1985-1991); Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS(1991-2010); and Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Mississippi State University, from 2010 until his death on the 8th of October 2016.

Dr. Adebiyi, specialized in areas related to Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics and Fluids, Advanced Energy Systems, Solar Energy Applications, Engineering Analysis. He was the author or co-author of three books on thermodynamics. In particular, he co-authored (with Dr. Lynn D. Russell) the Classical Thermodynamics textbook (originally published in 1993 by Saunders Publishing), which has also been translated into Spanish by Addison-Wesley. The Spanish version, Termodinámica Clásica, was published in 1997.

Dr. Adebiyi was recipient of the 1991 Outstanding Research Paper Award of the College of Engineering, and a Co-Recipient of the 1997 Outstanding Research Paper Award of the College of Engineering. His research interest later extended to energy which led him to establish “Solar Barber’s Shop” at the Bowen University, Iwo Nigeria while there as visiting Professor from Mississippi State University.

Just less than a week before his death, Dr. Adebiyi proudly launched the Lawrence and George Adebiyi Solar Energy Institute.  He found and funded the construction of the Institute at Oluponna, Osun State, Nigeria.  The mission of the Institute is to help and empower individuals and communities to achieve sustainable energy independence by acquiring the knowledge and ability to install and maintain solar energy systems.

On the Spiritual side, Dr. Adebiyi was a true child of God who loved God with all his heart and his fellow men – thereby fulfilling the commandments of God as summarized by Jesus. The cloud of witnesses and testimonies received since his passing on to glory is a pointer to how effectively he had impacted people around him – besides his immediate family members. His mode of living rhymed with Paul’s statement “If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18).

Finally, he loved his family. He celebrated many years of marital bliss with his wife, Iyabo. His first marriage was to Mary. Both marriages were blessed with seven children - Adenike, Debo, Aderonke, Remi, Oluronke, AdeDoyin and Adeola. They also had a beautiful troupe of eight grandchildren, from ages 21 to 1 - Seyi, Damilola, Jackson, Hannah, Isaiah, Victoria and Elijah.  He is preceded in death by his late brother, Lawrence Adebiyi, and survived by three sisters Mrs. Adedoyin Farinde, Dr. Bimpe Adebiyi and Mrs. Bose Famisa, and lots of nieces and nephews.  To all, he was a source of cheer, joy, and unconditional support.