William J. Dreyer II

1947 - 2021

(News Story)
Mark Zaborney
Blade Staff Writer


Linda L. Dryer devoted her career to public school classrooms, including many years teaching third graders at Highland Elementary School in Sylvania.

William J. Dryer II was a 36-year Sylvania police officer who took on public safety duties in retirement.

The couple died 10 days apart - Mrs. Dryer, 71, on Aug. 31 at home in Monclova Township; Mr. Dryer, 74, on Sept. 10 at McLaren St. Luke's Hospital in Maumee. A former cardiac bypass patient, she had diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He learned last month that he had pancreatic cancer, daughter Patricia Barfield said.

Mr. Dryer acquired an array of nicknames during his career, Dick Tracy among them. "Honest Bill" was his daughter's favorite.

"He always had a smile on his face," she said.

Mrs. Dryer "was an excellent cook, baker, seamstress," Ms. Barfield said.

"She was kind and loving to everyone they met," Ms. Barfield said. "Together they were quite a team."

Linda L. Rydman was born April 17, 1950, to Mary Jane and Kenneth Rydman. She was a 1968 graduate of Whitmer High School and received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Toledo. She later received a master's degree from what is now Lourdes University in Sylvania. The couple married Nov. 22, 1980.

She taught in the Washington Locals Schools, but was best known for her long tenure at Highland.

"She loved kids. She loved that age, as far as being so inquisitive," Ms. Barfield said

Under Mrs. Dryer's direction, her third graders performed "random acts of kindness." During holiday seasons, they extended their mission. They raised money and went shopping for children who were being served through Sylvania Area Family Services.

Off duty, she volunteered to hold babies in the neonatal intensive care units at ProMedica Flower Hospital and ProMedica Toledo Hospital.

Mr. Dryer, the son of Catherine "Katie" and Eugene Dryner, was born April 19, 1947, grew up in Sylvania and was a 1965 graduate of Sylvania High School. He enlisted in the Air Force and served at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia and Osan Air Base in South Korea. Afterward, he joined his father in working on commercial construction projects, including the rising Franklin Park Mall.

From age 12, he'd wanted to be a police officer. He joined the Sylvania police force in 1974.

"He always had that mindset of being honest and straightforward and taking care of everybody else," Ms. Barfield said.

Early in his career, he was commended by Chief Art Cole for work that resulted in the solving of at least three burglaries and a hit-skip crash. The next year, the detective bureau submitted a letter of appreciation for his attentiveness on patrol - which led to three juveniles suspected of breaking 50 windows at five schools. He received multiple Police Star awards and other honors during his career.

He retired in 2010. For several years, starting in 2013, he was a certified child safety seat technician, working in concert with the Sylvania police and Safe Kids of Greater Toledo.

He also served on the Sylvania Area Federal Credit Union board and was a past president of Fraternal Order of Police Sylvania Lodge 129.

Surviving are daughters Patricia Barfield and Shannon Velazquez; two grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. Also surviving are Mrs. Dryer's brother, Greg Rydman, and Mr. Dryer's brother, Gerald Dryer, and sister, Deborah McClure.

Services will begin at 7 p.m. Friday at Reeb Funeral Home, Sylvania, with visitation after 3 p.m.

The family suggests tributes to the widows and orphans fund of FOP Lodge 129; Safe Kids of Greater Toledo, or the American Diabetes Association in Sylvania Township.

This is a news story written by Mark Zaborney. He can be contacted at mzaborney@theblade.com">mzaborney@theblade.com">mzaborney@theblade.com">mzaborney@theblade.com.