William J. Ryan

Ryan, William J. of Quincy, died March 29, 2020.

Bill was born in Boston, the beloved son of Cornelius and Catherine Mary Ryan. He was a graduate of English High School and Mass. Bay Community College.

He served in the US Navy during WWII Sept. 1942 to Dec. 1945. He was in the Battle of Peleliu and Guadalcanal. He received the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Citation, and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal. Bill was the member of the Boston Police Department for 32 years, the last 20 as a Detective in Charlestown. He was president of Communications for Rights and Protection of Police Officers and also a member of the campus police at M.I.T.

Bill was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Ann’s Church in Quincy as well as Our Lady of the Snow in Woodstock, VT. He held membership in the American Legion of the BPD #251, a life member of the North Quincy Knights of Columbus, and the Quincy Historical Society. He also loved traveling.

He leaves his wife Eleanor (McGuire) Ryan and three daughters, Penney (husband Peter), Janis (husband Jim), Marcia and 7 grandchildren Sam, Ben, Lily, Jake, Will, Jack, and Ellie. Also survived by his sister Theresa Hinckley and predeceased by sisters Mary Larson and Kathleen Rynne.

In keeping with current health concerns regarding the Covid-19 coronavirus, services will be private. Live streaming of Bill’s private funeral service can be viewed on Tuesday, April 7th at 11 AM. To watch the live stream, please return to this page and the live feed will appear at the top of his obituary.

Normally, the funeral is an opportunity for the community to gather in support of one another. Although we cannot gather together with Bill’s family at this time, friends may still offer their support by sharing a special memory or message by clicking the link above. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bill may be made to the charity of your choice.