William Russell Ryan, 83, of Logan, Utah died peacefully in his sleep at his beloved family home on Feb. 15, 2008.

Bill was born on July 2, 1924, in Logan, the last of Orson and Dora Ann Murdock Ryan's 9 children. He married the girl he had known since they were 12 years old—sweethearts since they were 16—and eternal companion Lou Ella McCulloch in the Logan LDS Temple on May 21, 1946. Together they had 6 children.

Bill was active in the LDS Church all his life and served in many callings including bishop of the Logan 5th Ward. He loved young people. He and his wife also served as missionaries to the special needs Seminary students at Logan High School, Mountain Crest High School, and at the Utah State University Institute.

He was born and raised in Logan where he attended the public schools graduating from Logan High School. He then began his studies at Utah State Agricultural College. When World War II broke out, he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to a regular Army field artillery unit. For the next three years, he was a part of the famous Rainbow Division which fought through much of Europe and was instrumental in the defeat of the Axis forces there.

Upon his return from the war, he married and completed his bachelor's degree and post-graduate work at Utah State Agricultural College. He served on the student council at the College. He was also a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity where he served a term as president. He had a lifelong passion for sports and excelled in football and basketball in high school and football in college. He worked as the high school coach in Cokeville, Wyoming, then coached at Jordan High School in Salt Lake City, then moved back to Logan and sold securities and ran a sporting goods store. Finally, he taught and coached at Logan High School for 25 years, serving as athletic director for the last 10 years, before his retirement in 1991. He loved his students and had an unusual gift for guiding and molding young people to higher goals and character.

Bill understood the abundant life and embraced it completely, always expressing gratitude for his blessings. He loved hunting and fishing and was often in the mountains with family or friends enjoying nature's bounty. In addition, he loved gardening, traveling, and being with family and friends. He was a much sought after story teller and many can recall being wonderfully entertained as he recounted various tales including the story of Old Ephraim.

Central to Bill's life were his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In the framework of the gospel, with his family, he found his greatest joy.

He is survived by his wife and dearest friend of nearly 62 years, Lou Ella. He was beloved by his children Nancy R. Stone (Dan), Logan, Janet R. Bell (Brad), Logan, Carol R. Stowers (Steve), Nibley, Wm. Scott Ryan (Diane), Hyrum, David B. Ryan, Salem, OR, and Susan R. Bankhead (Kent) Wellsville; 24 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard B. Ryan, San Rafael, CA, and a sister Anne R. Palmer, Philadelphia, PA.

He was preceeded in death by his parents; three sisters, Arvilla M. Ryan, Venice Nielson, and Dorothea H. Cox; three brothers, Miller M. Ryan, “J” Stewart Ryan, and O. Kent Ryan; and a granddaughter, Sarah Ann Stowers.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, February 21 in the Logan 5th Ward Meetinghouse, 502 East 300 North in Logan. There will be a viewing from 6 to 8 PM on Wednesday, February, 20 at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street in Logan, and prior to services from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at Allen Mortuaries. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that funds be donated to the LDS Church's Perpetual Education Fund.