W. Vincent Lyons, 82, of Taylors, died Monday in Greenville after a long illness. He leaves his wife, Nancy O?Hara Gillette Lyons of the home; three children, June Lyons Pearsall of Marietta, GA., Nancy Lyons Kirschenheiter of Selden, NY., and Douglas John Lyons of Washington, NJ.; two step-children, Robert P. Gillette of South Kingstown, RI., and Carol Anne Gillette of St. Petersburg, FL.; five grandchildren; and two brothers, James J. Lyons of Catonsville, MD., and John E. Lyons of Warminster, PA.. He was preceded in death by a sister, Agnes Garza; son-in-law, James D. Pearsall; and a step-son, Paul W. Gillette. Born in Bridgeport, CT., he was the son of Daniel Patrick Lyons of Roxbury, MA. and Mary Teresa Allen of College Point, NY. Mr. Lyons was a chemist. He attained his baccalaureate degree from Fordham University and his graduate degree in organic synthesis from NYU. After serving in the US Navy during WWII, he worked his entire career for Nabisco Company in NYC and Parsippany, NJ. He was known for developing the modern Oreo cookie and for formulation of Chips Ahoy. He developed a patented process for manufacture of ethanol from bakery refuse. After his retirement he consulted in the baking industry and was named Senior VP of International Bakers Services of South Bend, IN. Mr. Lyons was along time member of Prince of Peace RC Church and was a lifelong golfer and member of Pebble Creek Club. He was a twenty-five year member of AA and belonged to the Jones Ave. ?Noon Bunch? and the Camelback Group. Memorials may be made to Rosewood House of Recovery, 19 Graves Drive, Greenville, SC 29609 or to the Greenville Literacy Association, 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, SC 29607. Calling hours at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown will be held, Thursday, August 11, 2005 from 6:30 until 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary?s Catholic Church, Friday at 12:00 noon. Rite of Committal will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park, following the Mass.
