George L. William "Bill" Ryan Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

George L. William Ryan “Bill”, 94, of Florissant, Mo. passed away on June 2, 2022 at his home of 74 years surrounded by his family. Bill was born on February 7, 1928 to George L. and Eva Turner Ryan in St. Louis, Mo. After school, Bill entered the St. Louis I.B.E.W. Local 1 Electrical Apprenticeship Program. His apprenticeship was interuppted when he voluntarily enlisted in the Merchant Marines/Coast Guard and served his country during World War II in the Pacific. After the war, he completed his electrical apprenticeship and spent his long career as an electrician. Many of those years as co-owner of Keller Sign and Electric Company. Bill was both generous and civic minded volunteering both his time and energy to many organizations. Bill was a member of the St.Louis I.B.E.W., the Alton Eagles, the Alton Moose, the Florissant Elks and the Knights of Columbus. Bill was appointed by both Florissant Mayors, Egan and Lowry, to serve on the Florissant Traffic Commission. Bill volunteered his time, labor and electrical expertise for many years to the Florissant Valley of Flowers Festival. On June 12, 1948, Bill married Patricia Margaret Breen (Marge) and they were blessed with three children, William John, Michael Thomas and Diane Margaret. Wonderful family vacations to New Orleans, Florida, Canada, Lake of the Ozarks were enjoyed but THE VERY BEST OF TIMES were enjoyed at their country place in Leasburg, Mo. He welcomed many friends, immediate and extended family to this very special place. Many a cold beer were enjoyed and many poker games were played. Over the many years, he took great joy in watching first his children, then his grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews all enjoy the country acres with bbq's, blackberry picking, annual float trips, swimming, fishing, hunting, snake chasing, zip lining, mud fights, slip and slides, creek wading, tadpole catching, cow chasing, bird and duck watching, camping, campfires, moped, purple machine and tractor rides. It was paradise to young and old. Nothing was more important to him than family and friends. Bill was one of the kindest souls, he was a gentle, giving man who worked tirelessly to ensure that his family had everything they needed. He faced life's challenges with strength and courage. He learned the importance of hard work and he instilled that same work ethic in his children and grandchildren. He was a role model. He was a man of faith, and taught his children and grandchildren the importance of family, hard work and doing what is right. Bill was a long time member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Florissant, Mo. before it's eventual closing and consolidation. Bill will be dearly missed by those who loved him. Bill retired in 1990 after 45 years in the electrical trades. Bill and Marge have enjoyed 32 wonderful years of retirement! Besides enjoying their country acerage in Leasburg, Mo., they have traveled to Alaska, Ireland, England, Hawaii and the New England states. They spent many winters in Naples, Florida. Bill was predeceased by his parents, George L. and Eva Turner Ryan, his sisters, Bernice O'Dowd and Georgia Brown, and one grandson, Shawn Patrick Ryan. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Patricia Margaret Ryan, three children, William John Ryan (Sylvia), Michael Thomas Ryan (Rose), and Diane Margaret Ryan (Don Thurston), four grandchildren, Christopher William Ryan (Kathy), Heather Cathleen Best (John), Patrick Mitchell Ryan (Tricia), and Nora Anne Ryan (Justin McKinzie), eleven great-grandchildren, Sophia, Elizabeth, Madisyn, Corbin, Ryan, Ashley, Amelia, Connor, Evelyn, Cormac and Lillian. Bill is also survived by many sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends. Visitation: Monday, June 13th, 3-8pm at Buchholz Valley of Flowers Mortuary, 619 Rue St. Francois, Florissant, Mo.. Funeral procession to depart Buchholz Mortuary on Tuesday, June 14th, 10am for St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic Church, 1210 Paddock Drive, Florissant, Mo. for a 10:30am Mass, officiated by Father Tom Haley. Burial immediately following at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Mo. The Florissant Elks Lodge, 16400 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, Mo. will serve a luncheon for family and friends immediately following burial services. Donations to the I.B.E.W. Local #1 Relief Committee, 5850 Elizabeth Avenue, St. Louis, Mo. 63110 or a charity of your choice appreciated.

George L. William "Bill" Ryan

February 7, 1928 - June 2, 2022