William Thomas Ryan

William Thomas ”Bill” Ryan, 72, of South Salem passed away November 4, 2024 at the Riverside Methodist Hospital following a prolonged illness.

Bill was born November 26, 1951, in Columbus, Ohio to the late Charles and Zola (Wilburn) Ryan. Following High School, he served in the US Air Force for a short time before receiving a medical discharge. Bill worked for many years at Orient Corrections as a plumber and later a supervisor in the maintenance department. He was a devout Christian who attended the Jefferson Avenue CCCU in Chillicothe when his health allowed. Bill loved traveling and had a special affinity to Mackinaw City, Michigan and the Mackinac Bridge. He enjoyed lighthouses and all things nautical. He had a fascination with the Edmond Fitzgerald. Bill was an animal lover with a giraffe being his favorite. Above all Bill was a loving, loyal, and dedicated husband and father.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a nephew, Tim Rhodes.

Survivors include his wife and the love of his life, Darlene (Rhodes) Ryan, whom he married October 5, 1973; his children, Stephanie Strickland of Wilmington, William Thomas Ryan II of Wilmington, Sheri (Jay) Crump of Hurricane WV; Canaan (Zaria) Crump, Alexa (Christian) Goemaat, and Brayden Lahmer; brother, Donald (Delores) Ryan; brother-in-law, Tim (Denise) Rhodes; nieces, Carmella Dixon and Kimberly Neal; and his many friends.

A funeral is planned at 1pm on Friday, November 8, 2024, at the Roberts Funeral Home in Washington Court House with Rev. Mark Clendaniel officiating. Burial will follow in the Highlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 11 am until the start of the service.