Port Charlotte, Florida - William (Bill) E. Ryan

September 9, 1932 - June 29, 2025

William (Bill) E. Ryan, age 92, of Port Charlotte, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, at Tidwell Hospice in Port Charlotte.

Bill was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 9, 1932, to the late Jeanette and Thomas Ryan. He spent his early years in Clear Lake, Iowa and later in Albert Lee, Minnesota. Bill exceled in athletics and was a member of the Albert Lee High School state champion golf team. He later attended the University of Minnesota and graduated from St. Thomas College before marrying and having four children with Rita Roling. They later divorced.

Bill began his career at the YMCA of Clinton, Iowa as the program director. There he coached his oldest son Joe on the swim team. His career with the Y took his family from Iowa to Texas to Nebraska and back to Iowa, where he met and later married his beloved wife, Marcella. They shared 43 wonderful years together. The couple moved to Florida to take care of Bill's parents and also became a successful CEO at the Charlotte County YMCA until his retirement. Bill worked with his daughter Patti for 11 years at Y.

Bill was an avid golfer and when not at home or at the Y, could be found on the golf course. One of his proudest moments is when he competed with his youngest son Steve at the country club championship tournament in Oskaloosa and Steve won.

Bill and Marcy upon retirement toured the country in their RV. They traveled each summer and made it to all most every state in the Union with stops to see their families. Occasionally there was even a stop to see his beloved Iowa Hawkeye football team. They would spend much of the rest of the year entertaining friends and family visitors from up north. They also attended a number of RV rallies with other RV travelers in Florida each year.

Beside his Iowa Hawkeyes, Bill was an avid Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan and had shared season tickets with his son Mike.

Bill is survived by his wife, Marcella, and his four children: Joseph Ryan (Paula) of Oskaloosa, IA; Michael Ryan of St. Petersburg, FL; Steven Ryan (Sheri) of Woodridge, IL; and Patricia Ryan-Raisch of Port Charlotte, FL., two step-children Dennis Brock (Denise) of Pompano Beach, FL. and Toni (Darrell) Holmes of Sidell, LA. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and his beloved pet dog Amber.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Bridget Knudson.

Bill will be remembered for his deep love for his family, his dedication to his work, and for his love for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Funeral services have been set for August 9, 2025 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Charlotte, Florida at 10:00. A celebration of life will be held in Iowa at a date to be determined later. Memorials may be sent to Mahaska County YMCA in Oskaloosa, Iowa or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Charlotte, Florida.