William E. Ryan

William Ryan Obituary

William E. Ryan

William E. Ryan, 84, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2020, at AVOW Hospice, Naples, Florida, following a brief illness.

Mr. Ryan, a California born artist devoted many years to painting in Bellevue, Washington. He preferred to work in watercolor and oil using both mediums to capture the beauty of the West in which he found continuous inspiration. "I paint what I love for the pleasure of myself and others. I strive for perfection so that I may relate to others an experience or idea from life!"

His mastery of painting was the culmination of many years of artistic endeavor in many areas. He graduated from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York and studied at California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, California. Early in his career he worked in Europe at Volvo where he helped design the classic Volvo P1800 sports car. Later he joined General Motors Styling and participated in the design of the Corvette Stingray. He served in the U.S.Army in Stuttgart, Germany as the Artist in Residence for the General's office.

Mr. Ryan moved to Bellevue, Washington in 1970 where he was in the Design Department for Boeing. He also taught art at The Seattle Community College. After a successful career in industrial design he devoted his career to fine art painting.

He became a member of The American Society of Marine Artists. His paintings were exhibited in the Frye Art Museum, Seattle; Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut; Peabody Museum, Salem, Massachusetts; National Academy of Western Art, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His work is also in the permanent collection of The Pentagon, Washington, DC.

He is mentioned in "Who's Who in American Art" and "The Dictionary of Sea Painters EHH Archibald". He is listed as an Outstanding Marine Painter in the Library Files of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

Mr. Ryan is survived by is wife, Maya Baumann Ryan.

Donations in his name may be made to AVOW Hospice, Naples, Florida.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Apr. 17, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for William Ryan

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10 Entries

Shannon Erickson

August 22, 2023

I remember as a little girl how my mom loved Bill Ryan's work. My mom's name is Patricia from Edmonds Washington, she bought some Beautiful pictures from Bill Ryan. I have one from many years ago. He had such talent. Not all artists can become as well known as his is. He was a well liked man. Sending prayers to his wife Maya.

Shamsuddin Mahmud

May 26, 2023

Louise Weathers

May 5, 2021

Bill was a great friend of my husband, Keith Weathers for many years. I remember them joking and reminiscing and enjoyed his exceptional art! I am blessed to have prints Bill gave to Keith as well as "The Old Arthur Foss" we purchased & framed by his wife, Maya at his gallery in Bellevue, WA. I was saddened to learn of Bill's passing and changed artwork in my hallway as a remembrance to him. He was one of the "good guys"! Keith always commented how Bill really knew how to capture the water and waves!

Rob Irwin

March 26, 2021

I was a student of Bill's decades ago, as he taught a class of Plein Aire watercolor at the dockside in Seattle thru the art institute. He was truly one of the most inspiring people in helping me see and feel the subjects, and to this day decades later, I still reflect on the technical principles of painting that Bill summed up in a somewhat obscure acronym "hrbovput", giving us the fundamental tennets of painting as handed down from the masters, that is " Harmony Rhythm Balance Opposition Variety Proportion Unity Utility and Tangency". You could see and feel the mastery in his work. Bill had a most pleasant disposition, I have and always will remember setting to work on a watercolor piece on the waterfront under Bills tutelage, and receiving his critique and encouragement.

Kylie Keyzer

November 1, 2020

I'm so saddened to learn of Bill's passing. Bill went to high school with my dad, Bill McKirdy. We have several of Bill's paintings hanging in our house now here in Seattle. It is an honor to have these originals given to my dad decades ago. My condolences to Maya.

April 29, 2020

Bill was my friend, a good friend, too. He had a boyish smile and an infectious laugh, which in turn would only make you smile or laugh too. I will miss him, as we had much in common and could talk for hours, doing so often. His considerable knowledge and wide range of talents were vast. His designs and works of art, along with his attention to detail, were always those of perfection. His artwork and accomplishments will, as with all great artists, far outlive him.

Bill's deep love and dedication to his wife, Maya, was also a big part of his life and always on display. Always speaking fondly of her, she meant the world to him. May we all be so blessed in our own marriages.

Maya, you have our deepest condolences.

Chuck & Lee Ann Stubben

April 22, 2020

Carrie & I shared a joyful friendship with Bill & Maya since the late 1970s. Words are hard to find when expressing Bill's passing.

Bill was a great person who was admired by his many friends, artists, and collectors alike. No one could paint marine vessels maneuvering in Northwest waters better than Bill or hold your interest longer when describing various concepts of art. Through his remembered story telling, sense of humor, shared adventures, and beautiful paintings, we can relive his life. That is a lasting gift.

Tom & Carrie Jones
Snohomish, WA

Ann Williams

April 21, 2020

I am so saddened by Bills passing. He was a wonderful, funny, kind and talented man. My heart goes out to you Maya and what you are going through.

Life just gets in the way sometimes; time goes by ever so fast, and before you know it, opportunities to call and catch up have been missed, and now, with much regret, I will never get that opportunity to chat with Bill again.

My parents have known the Ryans for over52 years, and although our families have moved to different parts of the world over the years, the friendship remained. Bill held me when I was a baby; as a child, I loved to draw and whenever my parents had the Ryans over for dinner, Bill would always take the time to draw with me and give me pointers. He had a great sense of humor and was just a big kid at heart. Whenever we went to their home, he would take me into his studio, which I loved, and show me his latest paintings. When I left high school, Bill played an integral part in helping me to secure a position in the Advertising Art program at Seattle Community College where he taught drawing classes, and I was lucky to have to opportunity to learn from him further.

I remember visiting him while he was painting a mural on the ceiling of a mausoleum, and it was fascinating to watch him work. We have lost an amazingly talented artist and friend, and he will be missed. His incredible legacy of beautiful art will live on forever.

Rest in peace Bill.
Your Friend Ann Williams

Jean Williams

April 21, 2020

It is with much sadness that I learned from Maya that Bill had passed away.

My late husband and I met Bill and Maya in the mid-sixties, and our paths have crossed for fifty-five years. We have wonderful memories of our time together. Bill's artwork is displayed throughout our home, and through his art, he will live forever.

Rest in Peace Bill.
Jean Williams

Linda Sutliff

April 9, 2020

My husband and I have treasured our friendship with Bill and Maya since we were all in our 20's. We admired Bill's painting and often watched him at work in his studio. We own 3 of his works and several of his endangered animal prints. All are very special to us.

The creativity, originality, warmth and sense of humor that Bill so generously shared with us are indelibly engraved on our lives. He lives on with us forever!

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