William P. Ryan, Jr.

MARIETTA, Ga. - William P. Ryan, Jr, of Marietta, Ga., previously of Wallingford, died peacefully Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, after a long courageous battle of diabetes and chronic kidney disease. He leaves his beloved wife, his high school sweet heart of 48 years, Jacqueline Custy Ryan.

Bill was born in Meriden, March 26, 1944, and was the son of the late William P. and Mary L. Ryan. He was a 1962 graduate of Maloney High School and a 1966 graduate of King's College in Wilkes Barre, Pa., in which he earned his bachelor of arts. Bill was immediately drafted and served in the U.S. Army in Oberusel, Germany for two years. He began his insurance career as an insurance claims adjuster at Liberty Mutual then went on to settle workman compensation claims and litigations at Marsh & McLennan, Johnson and Higgins and retired from Aon Corp in 2008. Bill was very active with youth sports in Wallingford and coached for the Wallingford Little League for many years including being a past president of the League. Bill had extraordinary skills as a carpenter and cabinet maker. He made many delightful pieces of furniture for his home and relatives. He became known as 'Mr. Fix It' renovating his first home and doing multiple projects for family members using his master abilities.

Besides his wife, Jacqueline, he leaves his beloved children, Patrick Ryan, (Meghan,) of Alpharetta, Ga., Melissa Ryan Tashjian, (Michael,) of Glastonbury, Sean Ryan (Candice,) of Dunwoody, Ga., and Terrance Ryan, of Plantsville; his eight loving grandchildren, Ryan, Kate, Ainsley, Thomas, Matthew, Brock, Scarlett, and Faye; his two devoted brothers, Barry Ryan (Jacquie) and Dennis Ryan (Linda); and his four faithful sisters, Patricia (Ronald) Stempien, of Meriden, MaryEllen Evans ( her late husband, Michael,) of South Windsor, Arlene Wusterbarth (her late husband, Kurt,) of Stonington, Maine, and Maureen (James) Waldron, of Wallingford; along with many dear nieces and nephews all of whom will miss him immensely.

His family will receive relatives and friends at Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden, Sunday, Sept. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Church, 82 Akron St., Meriden. Burial with military honors will follow in the State Veterans' Cemetery, 371 Bow Lane, Middletown. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.stempienfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent in Bill's memory to the American Kidney Foundation (www.kidneyfund.org) or American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org).