Billy R. Ryan

CAPT Billy R. Ryan, USCG Ret. Bill passed away quietly at home on Dec. 26, 2011 at the age of 91. Born in Victor, Colo., he grew up in Arcadia, Fla. He attended the US Coast Guard Academy. Within six months after Pearl Harbor, Cadet Ryan was commissioned and Ensign Ryan was assigned duty on the USS Leonard Wood, an attack transport manned by the Coast Guard. The Leonard Wood carried troops and was equipped with 36 small landing craft. He participated in amphibious assaults at Fedhala and Sicily, leading the first wave of assault boats. He also led assault waves in the island-hopping campaign in the Pacific at Makin, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Saipan, Angaur and Leyte. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism at Saipan. In the amphibious assault at Iwo Jima, he served in a transport commander's staff aboard the USS Fremont. In 1955 he received a Civil Engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and was inducted into the honorary society of Sigma Xi. He continued in service a full 30 years, retiring in the rank of Captain in 1972, having served in six ships, three as Commanding Officer, and in a variety of Civil Engineering and Operations billets ashore. Bill moved to Colorado Springs in 1975. He is survived by two daughters, Betty Ann Beckham of Monticello, Ark., and Susan Wagner of Colorado Springs, Colo., six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou, brother, Carl, and parents. Funeral was Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at Evergreen Funeral Home, Colorado Springs, Colo. Rev. John Dally presided. Afterwards burial was in Evergreen Cemetery with US Coast Guard Honor Guard.