LEYSHON, William E.

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, February 10, 2009 William E. Leyshon was born July 30, 1921 in Columbus, Ohio and passed away on Feb. 8, 2009 in Prescott, Ariz. He is survived by his wife, Emily Lord Leyshon; daughter Nancy Jean Leyshon of Taos, N.M.; and son John Arthur Leyshon of Columbus, Ohio. Bill graduated from Ohio State University and began work for Sylvania in Salem, Mass. He received five patents in his work as a physicist, including the invention and development of fluorescent Christmas tree lights that were sold nationwide. He also received several classified patents while working at the federal research facility in Oak Ridge, Tenn. in the early post-World War II years. Bill worked as a physicist for the General Electric Company in Liverpool, N.Y. for 28 years until his retirement. After retiring, he moved to Prescott and volunteered at the Sharlot Hall Museum, where he researched early 19th century methods of photography and copied and enlarged photos of early Arizona history for museum exhibits. He was a member of Sigma Chi, Sigma Xi and the GE Elfun Society, and was listed in Who's Who in the East. A private cremation will take place at the Bradshaw Chapel in Prescott Valley. There are no memorial services scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made in Bill's name to Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St., Prescott, Ariz., 86303. The family has entrusted final arrangements to the Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home in Prescott. Information provided by survivors.