William "Bill" Edward Ryan died August 24 at Masonicare of Newtown. He was born in Utica, N.Y., on September 9, 1929, and was the son of the late Clarence and Gertrude Kennerknecht Ryan. He was the devoted husband of Joan and beloved father to William, Jr, James, Kenneth, and Thomas.

His wife; his sons and their wives, James and Mary Anne Ryan of Newtown, William and Anne Ryan of Monroe, Kenneth and Kathleen Ryan of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Thomas and Robin Ryan of Trumbull; and his beloved grandchildren Callie Rose, Connor William, Sarah Elizabeth, Kyle Thomas, Molly Madeleine, Patrick Michael, and Jeffrey Xavier survive him. His sisters Catherine Irene Darby and Elizabeth Jane Hodge; his brothers Clarence James Ryan, Donald Francis Ryan, and Richard Thomas Ryan; and his surrogate father and fellow Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Gustav Siegwart, predeceased him.

His character was developed on the hardscrabble streets of Utica, where he attended St Francis De Sales High School and served as the senior class president. After high school, he served as a communications specialist in the United States Air Force. Following assignments in the United States, Japan, and Iceland, he returned to Utica to marry the love of his life, Joan Veronica (Siegwart) Ryan, on September 10, 1955.

His marriage to Joan was one of love, devotion, and dedication to his four boys. From kindergarten through college, through baseball, tree forts, and lawn darts, Mr Ryan always provided the boy's wise counsel and an unconditional love that saw these gentlemen grow and prosper.

Mr Ryan worked for Pitney Bowes, Inc for more than 35 years, starting as a customer service representative in upstate New York. After moving to the sales organization in 1963, he rose in the ranks to achieve success for the sales teams he managed in Syracuse N.Y., Providence R.I., and Trumbull. He retired in 1990 as vice president and general manager of the Pitney Bowes Copier Division. Thereafter, he focused on new passions that included a small business venture, business consulting, and quality time with his wife and family.

Visitation and a celebration of his life is scheduled for September 2, from 4 to 8 pm, at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe.

A Catholic Mass and funeral will be held on September 3, at 11 am, at St Theresa's Catholic Church in Trumbull. His internment will be at 10 am on Saturday, September 10, at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Utica (Yorkville), N.Y. A memorial mass will follow at noon at St Joseph's and St Patrick's Church in Utica, N.Y.

The Ryan family gratefully acknowledges the care and support provided by Masonicare of Newtown. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in honor of William E. Ryan to the Masonicare Hospice, masonicare.org, or Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, ccfairfield.org.

Online condolences may be made at spadaccinofuneralhome.com.