William E. Ryan, Jr.

William E. Ryan, Jr., 64, of Avella, died Thursday, August 25, 2016 in his home, following an extended illness.

He was born January 18, 1952, in Elyria, OH, a son of William E. and Mary Jane Rose Ryan, Sr.

Mr. Ryan was an avid reader and scholar, he received his Bachelor of Arts in English, from Lakeland College in Wisconsin, where he was a member of Mi Lambda Sigma fraternity.  He received his Masters Degree in both English and Writing from the University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.

He was a grain broker and Vice President of his family’s business, Jesse C. Stewart Company in Pittsburg from 1976 until his retirement in 2006.

Mr. Ryan was a published poet, civil war reenactor, world traveler and an avid Pittsburgh Steeler fan, farmer and gardener.

His joy was his family and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Surviving are his companion of more than 25 years, Susan Hann; four children, Helena Cleric (Nathaniel) of Hickory, William “Liam” Ryan (Laura) of Washington, Louis Ryan (Karen) of Hickory and Joseph Ryan of Avella; seven grandchildren, Lily and Nathalie Cleric, William, Elle, Cody, Louis and Ford Ryan; two sisters, Jenny Machak (Andy) of Indian Lake and Patricia Mastaller (Thomas) of Canonsburg; a brother, Michael Ryan (Ann) of Dormont; and many nieces and nephews.

A brother Thomas Ryan is deceased.

Friends will be received from 3 to 7 pm, Sunday in the McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, Owner/Supervisor, 27 Cherry Ave., Houston, PA 15342, where services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 29, 2016.  Interment will follow in Mt. Prospect Cemetery, Hickory.  The family suggests memorial contributions to pulmonaryfibrosis.org.  

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