William George Ryan, 89, of North Palm Beach, Fla., formerly of Hinsdale, died peacefully Jan. 5, 2022, surrounded by his wife and seven children.
He was born in Chicago in 1932 to Marguerite and William Ryan.
Bill graduated from Mt. Carmel High School. He went on to play basketball at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. He served in the 32nd Air Transport Squadron from 1952-56. In 1957, he met the love of his life, Mary. They wed in 1958 and had a long and loving marriage, always putting family first. He always said that he was the luckiest guy in the world to have married Mary, though she always felt that she was the lucky one. Their story is one of deep faith, perseverance, and success. Bill and Mary Ryan founded Town & Country Homes in 1958, and they grew the organization into one of the largest private home building companies in the United States.
Town & Country Homes was truly a family-operated business. As the company was just starting, Mary would often drive to the office with their young children so they could have dinner together as a family. As the company grew and expanded beyond the Chicago area, their adult children each played a role in running the family business.
Bill created lasting memories through incredible trips with family and friends. He loved traveling to Ireland with Mary, their children and grandchildren to spend time with Mary’s family. He instilled a love of travel and togetherness through many family trips in the United States and Europe. Mary and Bill loved having family fill their home in Florida, especially for the New Year and Easter. Their perfect day included a full breakfast table with lots of laughs, rounds of golf and a delicious dinner for 50.
Bill and Mary shared their compassion, talents and resources with numerous organizations. They are longtime contributors to Misericordia Home, William G. & Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center, Macular Degeneration Research Fund at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Catholic Charities, The Catholic Extension, Freedom Golf Association, Chicago Symphony, The Jake Foundation, Lost Tree Charitable Foundation, Our Lady of Florida and the Kravis Center.
Bill was a profoundly generous man, which was recognized by his awards: Loyola’s President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, Misericordia Heart of Mercy Award, 2017 Heritage of Faith Award from St. Isaac Jogues Parish and the Scholarship Foundation at St. Mary’s College for deserving students. Bill also sat on several boards, including the Board of Regents at St. Mary’s College, where he received an honorary degree, and the Advisory Council for The School of Business at the University of Notre Dame.
Bill had a passion for golf and enjoyed being a member of Butler Country Club, Butterfield Country Club and Hinsdale Golf Club in the Chicago area. In the winter months, he resided in Florida, where he enjoyed being a member of Lost Tree Club and a founding member of The Bear’s Club.
Foremost in his life was Bill’s love for his wife, Mary. He will forever be remembered for his deep love of family, his kindness, and being known as a “best friend” to everyone.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary, née Burke; his children, Mary (Bob) Buddig, William Ryan, Mike (Carolyn) Ryan, Eileen (Scott) Seyfarth, Tom (Maura) Ryan, Therese (Mike) Rooney and Donna (John) Coffey; his grandchildren, Sarah (Michael) Swanson, Jennifer (Christopher) Sizer, Erin, Margaret and Bobby Buddig, Maggie (Anthony) Roti, CJ (Dana) Ryan, Steven Ryan, Kayleigh (Patrick) Kelly, Kristin (Phil) Nye, Kelly (Ryan) Downey, Jack, Annie, and Michael Ryan, Bill Seyfarth, Alison (Will) Feldman, Michele (James) CarMichael, Emily Seyfarth, Kate, Aileen, Maeve, Sean and Eamon Ryan, Meghan, Nora and Michael Rooney, and Lauren, Grace, Colleen, Jillian and Mary Coffey; his great-grandchildren, Michael and Charlie Swanson, Clare and Mary Kate Sizer, Avery, Dominic and Mackenzie Roti, Riley Nye and Liam and Olivia Feldman; his siblings, Patricia (the late John) Ciaciura and Ed (Kathy) Ryan; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his eighth child, daughter Jean Marie Ryan.
A Memorial Mass celebrating Bill’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at St. Isaac Jogues Church, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale. The mass also will be live streamed; visit St. Isaac Jogues Parish at https://www.sij.net.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at Our Lady of Florida, 1300 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Misericordia Foundation, 6300 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago, IL 60660; Macular Degeneration Research Fund in the Department of Ophthalmology c/o Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 420 East Superior Street, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611; Loyola University Medical Center in support of the William G. & Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine online at https://www.loyolamedicine.org/giving/ or make checks out to Loyola University Medical Center and mail to Loyola Medicine Office of Philanthropy, Bldg. 115, Rm. 353, 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood, IL 60153; Our Lady of Florida Passionist Spiritual Center 1300 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408; or Lost Tree Village Charitable Foundation 8 Church Lane, North Palm Beach, FL 33408
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
