William John Prysner

William 'Bill' Prysner, 90, of Port St. Lucie, FL and Gales Ferry, CT passed peacefully on July 15, 2014 in New London CT. He was born on January 7, 1924 in Hartford, CT where he lived until enlisting in the United States Armed Forces on December 7, 1942. He served during WWII in the Army Air Force, which placed him in the China Offensive, the Asiatic Pacific Theater and the American Theater. During his military service he traveled to dozens of United States cities and 7 foreign countries including China and Africa. While in China, using his ingenuity, he invented a way to make real ice cream for the local civilian workers by constructing a machine using airplane engine parts, an oxygen bottle and a paddle. He was honorably discharged on January 16, 1946 as a Sergeant with the 528th Fighter Squadron. He earned numerous medals, awards and commendations including two Bronze Stars.

Upon his return to civilian life Bill married Evelyn Kyc and Bill enrolled into college, earning his Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1950. He continued his academic career attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Trinity College and the University of Northern Colorado. He accepted a position at the Navy Underwater Sound Laboratory (NUSL) in 1951 and worked at the lab for 40 years ultimately becoming the Head of the Division of Design and Product Assurance. His official travels during his NUSL career sent him around the world to multiple cities and countries including Guam, Spain and Germany. The Department of the Navy recognized him for his work and dedication in 1988 by awarding him with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award - the Navy’s 3rd highest civilian award. In 1990 Bill retired but remained an inspiration and source of knowledge to all who were privileged to work with him.

Despite his long service to the NUSL, Bill never lost his enthusiasm for his work, his enjoyment of the hectic pace, the challenge of solving new problems, and his pride to be able to contribute to the Navy, including using his talent as an ‘inventor’ to develop, apply for, and receive 3 separate Patents awards for innovative engineering solutions.

He was a member of several organizations including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Association of Old Crows and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Following his retirement, Bill continued to enjoy traveling and went on frequent cruises to the Bahamas with his wife, family and close friends. He split his time between Connecticut and Florida and enjoyed playing golf, bowling, reading military history books and cooking for the various clubs at his Florida home in Spanish Lakes Golf Village.

He continued his activities with enthusiasm and energy throughout his retirement years and was honored with a surprise party in January for his 90th birthday by his many friends in Florida. Bill was preceded in death by his parents John Prysner and Anna (Orzech) Prysner; his best friend and loving wife of 68 years Evelyn (Kyc) Prysner; his beloved daughter Diana (Prysner) Machinski; brother Richard Prysner; and sister Valerie (Prysner) Jencks. He is survived by his nephew Dennis Prysner of Tampa, FL; nieces Nancy (Prysner) Caslin of Commack, NY; Barbara (Jencks) Kubachka of Glastonbury, CT; Beverly (Jencks) Clark of East Hartford, CT; eleven great nephews and nieces; and members of his extended family Cecile Cournoyer and Christine 'Tina' Pinto. He was very thankful for the care and attention Tina gave to his wife Evelyn during her illness and for her kindness and devotion to him since her death. Bill greatly enjoyed the time he spent with Tina's young granddaughters during their long visits to the states from their home in Egypt. A private graveside service will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in East Hartford, CT. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Bill to a favorite charity.