Search by Name

Search by Name

William Ryan Obituary

William Peter Ryan, 77, of Stafford Drive, Council Bluffs, Iowa, died in Council Bluffs on Monday, Jan. 7, 2008.
Born in Adams on April 6, 1930, he was a son of William H. and Mary (Coussoule) Ryan. He attended Adams schools and graduated from the former Adams High School in 1948. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering.
Later, he entered the Army, serving with a unit in Korea when he became affiliated with an air wing. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant.
Returning to civilian life, he was with the General Electric’s toolmakers’ segment in Pittsfield where he successfully completed its courses. Later on in his career, he took a position with Sprague Electric, North Adams, as the industrial plant engineer for five years. He then was employed as manager of manufacturing engineering at Borg Instruments/ Bunker Ramo Corp. in Delavan, Wisc., for which he traveled throughout Europe and the U.S.
He then moved to Bloomfield Hills, Mich., where he was plant manager of facilities and operations for the Bloomfield School District until 1977, when he relocated to Minnesota, accepting a job with Hennepin County as director of property management. He served there for 11 years until accepting a position at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minn., where he was employed for several years. He moved to Council Bluffs and worked as a first vice president of building facilities and services for Mutual of Omaha Corp. He retired from that position in the mid-1990s.
He also had owned and managed the Busy Beaver Laundromat in Adams.
He was formerly a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and American Legion Post 160 in Adams.
He enjoyed antique and classic cars, photography, history and politics. He loved traveling in Mexico and watching a good movie. He was known for developing gadgets to solve everyday problems and was a tinkerer. He loved his days in Adams and anything American.
His wife, the former Eleanor Remillard, with whom he had five children, is deceased. His second wife, the former LuAnne Dickerson, is also deceased. His third wife, the former Connie French, died in 1999.
He leaves three sons, William Peter Ryan Jr. of Boston, and Timothy Ryan and Christopher Ryan, both of North Adams; two daughters, Holly (Ryan) Moore of St. Paul and Mary Del Ryan of Michigan; two sons-in-law, William G. Moore and Randy Greenlee; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and his partner of four years, Patty Richardson of Iowa.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- A funeral service for William Ryan will be held Saturday, Jan. 26, 11 a.m., in St. Mark’s Church, Adams. Burial in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams, will follow.
Calling hours are Saturday, from 9 to10:30 a.m., at the McBride Funeral Home, Adams.

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

Published by The Berkshire Eagle on Jan. 18, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for William Ryan

Not sure what to say?





4 Entries

BARRY RICHER

January 24, 2008

DEAR HOLLY,PETE,TIM, CHRIS AND MARYDELL AND RYAN FAMILY. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND WARM REGARDS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR LOSS.I ALWAYS HELD BILL,GRAM AND YOUR FAMILY IN MY HEART.I WILL MISS HIM AND REMEMBER HIS SPIRIT AND THE FRIENDSHIP WE SHARED. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND WATCH OVER YOU IN THIS TIME OF NEED.SEE YOU SATURDAY

Kris Roden

January 21, 2008

Dearest Ryan Kids,
I was your babysitter for a few years and am so sorry for the loss of both your parents. Hope you have all grown up well and happy.
Love,
Kris (Olszowy) Roden

DOTTIE(VOLPI) DAVIS

January 18, 2008

REST IN PEACE DEAR FRIEND AND CLASS MATE.

BILL MCLAREN

January 18, 2008

BILL WAS A TRUE FRIEND AND HAD A GREAT WIT-WE SHARED MANY A LAUGH AND MANY A TIME-I M SURE HE WILL BE MISSED-

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in William Ryan's name

Memorial Events
for William Ryan

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief

Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
Ways to honor William Ryan's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more