Maurice Orton "Bus" Ryan

1932 - 2016

August 2, 1932 - September 16, 2016
After a rich, blessed life, Bus Ryan went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 84. He was born in Fargo, North Dakota, on August 2, 1932, his dad's birthday. His passions were his family, friends, faith, hospitality, travel, and golf.

Bus cherished his family and leaves his devoted wife of 60 years, Carmen Lovre Ryan; his son, Tyler Ryan; daughters Terry Ryan Willits and Kelly Ryan Kelly; daughter-in-law, Suzanne MacPherson; and sons-in-law Bill Willits and Mike Kelly. He also leaves two adored grandsons, six granddaughters, three grand-in-laws, and three great grandchildren. All will miss him dearly and anticipate reuniting with him in heaven.

Bus graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas. He was president of his high school graduating class of 1950. He then attended Cornell University, graduating with a degree in hotel administration. During his senior year, he met his future wife, Carmen, and the life-long romance began. Bus later attended the executive graduate program at Stanford University.

Upon college graduation, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and received the rank of first lieutenant. Bus and Carmen married in 1956. They moved to New York City, where he began his hotel career at the Statler Hilton in Sales and Convention Service. After four years with Hilton, Bus joined hospitality pioneers Bill Marriott, Sr. and Jr. when they only had two properties and were growing the Marriott brand. In October 1965, after serving with the Marriotts for five years, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to open and become general manager of their sixth Marriott hotel.

In 1969, Bus became the first regional vice president for Marriott hotels. During this time, he and his regional team opened 32 Marriott hotels and resorts in the United States, Bermuda, and Mexico. Bus was grateful to witness Bill Marriott, Jr.'s success in building Marriott International to now be the world's largest hotel management company.

After 28 years with Marriott, Bus retired as a senior vice president of Marriott. His career continued and in 1993, he was elected Chairman of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. As chairman, Bus traveled extensively and addressed 45 state hotel associations around the country, as well as the international associations in Australia and Spain.

Bus served on numerous boards, including AAA, Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association (which named him the 1988 Hotelier of the Year), Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Central Atlanta Progress, Georgia Business Council, American Hotel Foundation, and the Board of Governors at Congressional Country Club.

Bus cherished 27 years visiting their "Summer Place" in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, and attending Lake Toxaway Methodist Church. He helped organize the Lake Toxaway men's Bible study. Bus also enjoyed Marco Island, Florida, in the winter and attended Marco Island Presbyterian Church.

During a Billy Graham Crusade in Atlanta in 1994, Bus, surrounded by his family, walked down the aisle to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. This step marked his life significantly. Since then, he has been a devoted member of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and his Sunday school community has provided amazing support these last few years.

A service celebrating Bus Ryan's life and legacy will be held on Friday, September 30, at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Bus' life, please consider making any donations to: Hospice Atlanta Center, 1244 Park Vista Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30319 (www.vnhs.org) or Johnson Ferry Baptist Church/Global Missions, 955 Johnson Ferry Rd.,
Marietta, GA 30068 (www.johnsonferry.org).