ALTON ---- William ‘Bill’ A. Ryan, Jr., 77, of Pearson Road, passed away at his home on Monday, March 10, 2025.
Bill was born on November 28, 1947, in Derry, the son of William Ryan, Sr., and Agnus (Eaton) Ryan.
After graduating from Pinkerton Academy, he joined the United States Army, where he was stationed in the Netherlands and Germany. He dedicated his life to real estate and general contracting, working alongside his beloved late wife as co-partners in serving the Lakes Region and surrounding areas of New Hampshire. He was a proud member of the Masonic Temple and drove with the Shriners in many parades. He cherished traveling, scuba diving and spending time with his family and friends, embracing life to the fullest. He was most proud of being a very energetic ‘Gumpy’ and ‘Opa’ to his many grandchildren and great grandchildren, always participating in the children’s Nerf fights. He led an active life, always staying physically engaged through his work and hobbies and dedicating his time to the Alton Community, where he was a respected and involved member.
Bill is survived by his daughter Nancy Van Huizen and her husband JP, stepdaughter Karen Brosnahan, daughter-in-law Janice Dignan, brother Walter ‘Cappy’ Ryan and his wife Laura, five grandchildren, Vera Van Huizen and her partner Caine Mormon, Candace Knowlton and her husband Toby, Mollie Dignan and her fiancé Bailey Clermont, Ian Van Huizen and his partner Mara Luntadila and Emily Brosnahan, three great-grandchildren, Jackson, Samuel and Elizabeth, nieces and nephews, Bill, Tom, Kim and Nicki, and many cousins. In addition to his parents, Bill is predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary Ann (Tardif) Ryan, stepson Daniel Dignan IV and sister Dorothy Waldron.
A Calling Hour will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 6:00pm-7:00pm, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246. Any donations can be made to Granite VNA.
A Memorial Service will follow at 7:00pm at the funeral home.
A burial with military honors will take place at a later date at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.