William (Bill) David Lanyi

William (Bill) David Lanyi, age 65, of N7740 Fine View Road, Malone, WI died on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at his residence. He was born on August 25, 1944 in McKeesport, PA, the son of William J. and Virginia (Pokropski) Lanyi. Bill married Nancy Strippy in Johnstown, PA in 1967. Bill received a Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA., a MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a BS in Engineering from Penn State University, State College, PA.Most recently Bill was the Director of Intellectual Property at Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, WI. Previously he held positions at Honeywell Corporation in Freeport, IL, Sundstrand Corporation in Rockford, IL, and Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA. Bill worked as an engineer at Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA before attending Law School at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Bill successfully prosecuted more than five hundred patents and obtained six US patents of his own. He was very proud to have worked as an engineer and with engineers as a Patent Attorney.Among his many achievements, Bill established, organized, and managed Mercury Marine's invention disclosure and patent application processes. He created the Mercury Patent Hall of Fame and the Kiekhaefer Club, which recognize and reward Mercury's Patent Portfolio and encourages invention. The annual awards he created were renamed "The William D. Lanyi Patent of the Year" and "The William D. Lanyi Invention of the Year" in his honor. Bill enjoyed summer fishing trips to Manitoulin Island with his family, Penn State Football and WWII history. He always said if you learned one thing in a day, your day was complete. Bill had a wonderful enthusiasm for work and life. He was particularly proud of his two daughters and their accomplishments. SURVIVORS: his wife, Nancy Lanyi, two daughters, Suzanne (Patrick) Lanyi Charles of Boston, MA, and Katherine Lanyi of Chicago, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents.



VISITATION: Thursday, July 1, 2010 from 4:30-6:30 P.M. at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. FUNERAL: Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. at Holy Family Parish-St. Peter's Church, County Road WH and Church Rd, St. Peter with the Reverend Luke Strand officiating. Cremation has taken place.