William F. (Bill) Ryan Jr., age 77, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 11 in a Hot Springs hospital. He was born Nov. 25, 1945, in California, the oldest son of the late William F. Ryan Sr. and Viola Carter Ryan.
He spent the first half of his life in southern California, where he worked in the dairy industry. In 1988, he moved his family to Arkansas. He worked and later retired from Jan-Eze Plating. He was a member of the local HEAR Club.
Bill loved his family; especially spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed woodworking, sports, and he was an avid LA Dodgers fan. Most importantly, he was a strong Christian man and follower of Christ. He was a member of the Ridgeway Baptist Church, but over the years, he pastored several small churches.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Ryan, an infant son, Jeffrey Ryan, and his brother, Don Ryan.
He is survived by: two sons, William Ryan III and wife Terri, and Scott Ryan and wife Jenny; seven grandchildren, Katie (Brett) Little, Erica Miller, J.J. (Kalista) Ryan, William Ryan IV, Jamie (Mary) Arnold, Leah (Elizabeth) Arnold, and Josh (Ashley) Arnold; eight great-grandchildren, Landon Little, James and Noland Arnold, Marco, Madelyn, and Evelyn Viquera, Natalie and Nora Arnold; a sister, Carol (Thomas) Ackley, a brother, Ed (Jean) Ryan, two special friends, Calvin Parker and Charles Blue Sr., and many nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 18th from 1-2 p.m. at Ridgeway Baptist Church, with funeral services to follow at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the Ridgeway Baptist Church Children and Youth Camp Fund, P.O. Box 151 Nashville, AR 71852 or The Little River Baptist Association Pregnancy Help Center, 256 Hwy 27 South, Nashville, AR 71852.
