William John (“Bill”) Ryan, Jr., a lifelong Lockport, N.Y. resident, passed away peacefully with family at his side on January 27, 2018 at the Tidewell Hospice in Palmetto, Florida at age 84.
Born on April 7, 1933 in Lockport, N.Y., Bill was the son of Margaret and William John Ryan, Sr. After graduating from DeSales Catholic High School in 1950, he graduated from Erie County Technical and served in the United States Army. Bill enjoyed a long and successful career as a Sales Engineer at Harrison Radiator Corporation, a division of General Motors, in Lockport. He retired from Harrison Radiator in 1987 to devote time to his family and numerous Lockport civic organizations including Ancient Order of Hibernians, William J. Ryan Division IV, Elks Club, Lodge #41, American Legion Post 410, Loyal Order of the Moose Lock City #617, Navy Marine Club and Knights of Columbus. Bill was a longstanding member of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Lockport, where he was married, served as an usher and religious education instructor. Bill was always known as a friendly and charitable man who would do anything for a family member, friend, or any fellow community member in need. Bill was a devoted family man, and his 4 children and 12 grandchildren were an extremely important part of his life. Bill had a passion for automobiles that began in his childhood years and in retirement was an antique automobile collector. He was a member of the Ford Model A Car Club and restored a 1930 Model A Ford and 1965 Corvair, which he drove in numerous community events and at family gatherings.
Predeceased by his beloved wife of fifty years, Rosemary (O’Byrne), Bill is survived by his four children, Thomas Ryan (Anne) of Williamsville, N.Y., Theresa (Dr. Dietrich) Jehle of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Karen (Thomas) Gladden of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Krista (John) Isherwood of Lockport, N.Y.; a sister, Catherine (Robert) Loftus of Lancaster, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews in the O’Byrne, Ryan and Loftus families.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Thursday, February 1 from 2-5 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. at the Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 2 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Lockport. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elks Club College Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 395, Lockport, NY 14095-0395 or the MMH-Tidewell Hospice House-Ellenton in Palmetto, Florida at www.tidewellhospice.org in memory of William J. Ryan.
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