The designer of some of the world's most successful yachts, Bill Langan, died peacefully on December 31st after a two year battle against leukemia, aged 55.
Born in Greenwich, Connecticut on June 9th 1955, sailing was his lifelong passion and in 1978 he joined the prestigious Sparkman & Stephens design company working under Olin Stephens. Two years later he was appointed Chief designer and was the project manager on* Freedom*, the 12 metre sailing yacht that won the 1980 America's Cup. Bill was ultimately responsible for over 300 yachts at S&S.
In 1998 he founded Langan Design Associates in Newport, Rhode Island and completed over 40 designs. The first, Victoria of Strathearn, won him design awards from both ShowBoats International and the International Superyacht Society and just two months ago was honoured with the Society's Leadership Award.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 8th at 2pm in St Matthew's Episcopal Church in Jamestown followed by a reception at the Conanicut Yacht Club.