William Roy Malenius

Mechanical engineer by trade, Bill Malenius designed power plants that gave energy and life to nations around the world and powerfully fueled a lifetime of memories in our hearts. On October 6, 2021, our beloved William Roy Malenius was called to eternal life.

Bill was born April 6, 1947 in Chicago to William and Ethel (Stromberg) Malenius. His mother, Ethel, stressed education upon him and he grew to have a sharp, technical mind. Graduating from Lane Tech High School in 1964, Bill went on to receive a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. His career took him and his wife, Carolie, around the globe living and working in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Mexico and by far his favorite, Toowoomba, Australia. Whether working in the power industry, developing medical devices or innovative water treatment solutions, Bill’s attention to detail was an asset wherever life took him.

Bill was fond of his childhood on Kangaroo Lake in Door County, Wisconsin, where he spent summers as a boy and later in life with wife Carolie. There he could be seen “puttering” around the lake house, taking his canoe out on the water, zipping about on his moped, or whipping up a batch of his famous margaritas. Bill’s family and friends knew him as real jack-of-all trades, a true Mr. Fix-It. There was no project that he couldn’t tackle. Bill always enjoyed a lively discussion about current events, climate, and science. He was a truly proud American and certainly embodied the American spirit of ingenuity. Hobbyist, model plane enthusiast, and custom soap maker, Bill had newfound joy in retirement with Carolie in Sun City West, Arizona.

Bill was a devoted husband of 27 years to Carolie (Manera), loving father to Kelly Cardenas (Ken) (Longview, WA) and granddaughter Kaya Cardenas, caring brother to Miriam Malenius (Sturgeon Bay, WI), a joyful Uncle to his nieces and nephews, and loyal friend. Bill will be dearly missed and his memory forever etched in our hearts.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunlandmemorial.com for the Malenius family.