William Ryan Obituary

Ryan, William "Bill"

William "Bill" Ryan, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at Woodhaven Manor, Pulaski.

Bill was born on September 11, 1923, to Jack and Margaret (Fitzpatrick) Ryan in Flintville, the youngest of 10 children. He attended school at North Pittsfield and many of his classmates were to be lifelong friends.

On February 22, 1944, he married Mildred Gutzman at SS. Edward & Isidore Church, Flintville. Together they farmed in the town of Chase from 1954-2010. Bill also worked for Fort Howard Paper for 32 years. They had eight children: Joan (Ron) Haws, Seymour; Bernadette (Gene) Imhoff, Huntsville, TX; Pat (Terry) Ryan, Sobieski; Tom Ryan, Yoakum, TX; Karen Brusewitz, Green Bay; Connie (friend, Dan Swiecichowski), Phelps; Robert Ryan, Sobieski; and Bill (Teri) Ryan, North Zulch, TX. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren: Michelle Haws, Julie (Todd) Holtz, Laura (Jim) Horning, Paul Imhoff, Sarah (Gavin) Imhoff-Jones, Cory (Steve) Horn, Jesse Roberts, Vanessa (Brandon) Lala, Amanda (Alisa) Ryan, Jason (Karri) Luebke, Nathan Brusewitz, Nicole Brewer, Jennifer Carabajal, Mary Rosales, and Austin (Alli) Ryan; and 27 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by brothers/sister-in-law: Orval (Dianne) Gutzman, Kaukauna; Lloyd Gutzman, Green Bay; Lorraine Matuszak, Seymour; Arles Tesch, Green Bay; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was happiest when family and friends were around. He loved holiday celebrations, good food, watching Packers football, and chocolate! But he had a true passion for softball.

He coached, managed, and sponsored teams for 35 years. During that time his clubs captured four WASA women's modified state titles and appeared in the 1993 national tournament in Keene, NH. "Mr. Bill," as he was known to his players, organized the original women's league in Pulaski and the first women's tournament in the Pulaski/Suamico area. He also founded a "youth" fast pitch league. Bill was President of the Tri-County Modified League from 1970-1974 and was named Coach of the Year three times. He was inducted into the Wisconsin ASA Hall of Fame in 2001. Bill encouraged his players to "like one another" and the rest will fall into place. He was also a member of Fort Howard's Quarter Century Club.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, in May, 2003; one granddaughter, Robyn Ryan-Brandt; an infant grandson; three great-grandchildren: Jessica Zamora, Erin Roberts, and Vivian Ryan. He was also preceded in death by his sisters/brothers-in-law: Marcella (Henry) Mommaerts, Anna (Ed) Knute, Mary (Earl) Scott, Lillian (Henry) VanderGeeten, Dorothy (Henry) Weier, Francis (Moses) Radosevich, and Winifred (Larry) Miller; and his brother/sister-in-law: John (Virginia) Ryan. From Mildred's family he was preceded by Irene (Wally) Krause, Florence (Jules) Minta, Art Gutzman, Lavina (Harold) VandenElzen, Leroy (Agnes) Gutzman, Clifford (Beverly) Gutzman, Gerald Matuszak, and Darlene Gutzman.

Friends may call at SS. Edward & Isidore Church, 3667 Flintville Road, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Closing Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. The visitation continues after 10:00 a.m. Friday at the church. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Fr. David Hoffman presiding. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Woodhaven Assisted Living, Pulaski, and to the entire staff of Unity Hospice for their loving care.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.marnochafuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Appleton Post-Crescent on Jan. 5, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for William Ryan

6 Entries

Doug Holewinski

January 9, 2015

My condolences to the Ryan clan. Many fond memories come to mind thinking back to the '70s and early '80s when I was around the farm more often than not. Whether it was sitting in the yard with him watching a lunar eclipse, sampling some of his homemade "moonshine" at the kitchen table, or dancing the 'Flying Dutchman' with him at his retirement party, Bill was always fun to be around. Even my own children recall a visit we made when they were young to the farm. Bill gave them each a bucket and told them to join in and pick potatoes. They had a blast. The front door was always open, and I always felt at home there. If we weren't talking Packers, it was the Brewers. Bill was very laid back and easy to talk with. I will forever remember this man.

Patti Ryan Phillips

January 8, 2015

Rest in peace Uncle Billy. What a good and kind uncle you were to us your nieces and nephews. You always made me feel like I was the only one in the room. I will always remember the many Easter gatherings especially the Easter egg hunts and the hay rides. One year the prize egg was worth $5.00. John Athey found it with Butches help under the granary in an old milk can. The rest of us wouldn't venture in there because of the thought of spiders. Thank you for your many visits and all your help you and Mickey gave to my Mom and Dad all those years. My heartfelt condolences to all. Uncle Bill You will be greatly missed.

Sheila Ryan

January 7, 2015

Uncle Bill was the person who made you feel like he couldn't be happier that you were there. He asked questions that showed his honest curiosity, and true respect for the opinions and thoughts of others. It was wonderful to spend time with him. He and Mickey were so kind and helpful to my Mom especially after Dad died in 1994 up until her passing in 2004. It was probably 2005/2006 when I drove up to spend a few hours looking at his many, many photographs reminiscing about the way things were way back. I think his favorite photo was one of him and his classmates at North Pittsfield grade school.. He would point out which girl he was in love with (sorry, I can't remember). The pic must have been from 1935 or so. I often find myself remembering him telling me during the Great Depression the water level in the Bay was so low that Ed Knute would go get some feed for his livestock there. I guess it was "rough" and maybe had some glass in it; but never-the-less it was usable. Now, I am remembering a few other stories I better not share here.... His passing is a real loss for those of us who knew him. Sheila

Karen Van Schyndel Sobiesczyk

January 6, 2015

Bill Ryan - one of the best coaches and mentors I've ever known, I played with Ryan's Rogues and La Count Realty in the late 70's, and we knew many championships and tourney titles back then. A great man, a huge loss. Little Billy, I hope you took on the legacy.

Karen Van Schyndel Sobiesczyk

January 5, 2015

Dear dear Mr Bill, the most loving, caring, & patient man I have been lucky enough to know. Truly an inspiration to me on & off the field. First a neighbor but then a mentor who I've always had the utmost respect for. As my dad would say, Billy thanks for the ride! You have put so many smiles on my face & you deserve to rest in peace with your lovely wife & keep laughing! you will be missed by so many....love..Rhonda Drella

Michael & Denise Miller

January 4, 2015

Our sweet, fun, endearing Uncle Bill - finally at peace. What a joy he was. His face always lit up when we would show up from Oregon. Our boys (Mikey & Johhny) just loved him. Michael (Bill's nephew), of course, has so many wonderful memories of Uncle Bill. Rest in peace, Uncle Bill.

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