William Alward Ryan, Jr. “Bill”, age 88 years, of Hartford, Wisconsin passed away March 12, 2016 at Kathy Hospice in West Bend.
Bill was born in Milwaukee; he graduated from Marquette High School in 1945, and was inducted into the school’s first Athletic Hall of Fame. Upon graduating, he served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
Bill was a highly respected financial professional his entire career. He was a great athlete who gained recognition in many sports. Bill was Wisconsin State badminton and squash champion and avid golfer, who finally scored a hole-in-one at age 80. He continued to beat the pants off his friends, children and grandchildren until his passing. He was an outdoor enthusiast. He loved hunting, fishing, boating, scuba diving and gardening. Bill was a man of faith and a faithful friend of Bill W. for the past 31 years.
Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Ryan, a brother, Thomas Ryan, 5 children, William Ryan III (Carter), Robert Ryan (Nancy), Laura Ryan Adler (Eli), Dr. Timothy (Sue Ann) Ryan, and Brigid Ryan Stolpa (David), grandchildren, Lauren, Matt, Patrick and Meghan. He is also survived by his step-children, Jim (Shelly) Welter, Vanessa Welter, and Jay Welter, step grandchildren, Jenean, Jessica, Jackie, Jason, Meghan, Michelle, Molly, and Madelyn. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by her his first wife Mary Lou Ryan, a sister Pat Possi and a stepdaughter Valerie McCutcheon.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, at Holy Hill, Upper Church, (1525 Carmel Road, Hubertus, WI 53033) with the Rev. Fr. Fred Alexander, OCD officiating. Visitation at the church will be on Wednesday from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Private Inurnment Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, WI.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory can be made to the 12 Step Program of the Jesuit Retreat House in Oshkosh.