06/09/2026
Bill Ryan
On Sunday, June 7, 2026, we lost the foundation on which we built our beautiful lives. While Leukemia may have taken the physical body of William “Bill” Lowell Ryan, nothing can take away the light he brought into our lives.
Bill was never the loudest person in the room—unless there was laughter. His uproarious laugh—some might call it a cackle—always stood out. Most of the time, though, he shied away from the spotlight, preferring instead a quieter, intentional approach to his many supporting roles as father and a husband, a son and a brother, a gifted surveyor, and a friend to us all.
Bill was the fourth of five children born on May 12, 1971, to Kay and Arlene Ryan. He had big, blue eyes, a quiet demeanor, quick wit and uniquely keen intelligence. As a kid, he demanded a plain hamburger, could cry without shedding a tear, and was the least likely to get into an argument.
Of his many gifts as a brother, the most significant was his ability to be exactly what his siblings needed—a peaceful companion to his big sister, a reliable accomplice for his big brother and a fearless protector of his little sister.
Bill was lucky enough to grow up on ‘the lane’ in West Jordan when it was still farmland and fields. Whether with siblings, cousins, or friends from the lane, Bill was always game for an adventure, and it often involved annoying an adult, most of the time his beloved mother.
He and his older brother Robert spent weekends surveying with their dad. As kids, they didn’t necessarily appreciate what their dad was teaching them, and even decided, once or twice, that they’d rather walk home than spend another Saturday afternoon working.
Bill’s sisters were talented gymnasts and he loved practicing the same flips and tricks they were learning on the family’s well-loved trampoline. He put those skills to use, earning a diving scholarship to the University of Utah. After an injury, he eventually decided college athletics weren’t for him, and he quietly blazed his own path.
He was, like most of the family, quite stubborn. But he managed to turn that bull-headedness into determination, as he worked to build his dream life. He, along with Robert, ended up returning to the job they once abandoned to enjoy lazy Saturday afternoons. They went into business with their father, and Bill, in particular, became an outstanding surveyor. He returned to school to earn the necessary certificates, but he was almost entirely self-taught. He was incredibly smart, technically skilled, and he thrived on the challenges of solving complex puzzles. All of us who love him were especially struck, but not surprised, by his trademark determination and strong will at work these last two months as he bravely fought cancer.
Bill may have looked like a workaholic, especially because he so willingly gave up those Saturdays—and many Sundays—to the demands of work. He built a successful surveying practice and the only thing he loved more than the work itself was teaching his boys, just as his father once did.
Bill’s truest passion was giving those he loved the most devoted sidekick they’d ever had. Nothing made him happier than supporting those he loved. Bill wasn’t just content to play the best supporting person in our lives, he relished it. It is what made him the favorite brother, a devoted son, a loyal husband, and a world-class dad.
At the center of this universe was his beloved Dede. They first met through mutual friends from the U’s swim team. One night after hanging out with friends, Bill offered to walk Dede home and they played cards into the wee hours. The rest was history. They could never quite agree on when they officially started dating, but no one could argue that they were beautifully married on November 5, 1994. Over 31 years of marriage, Dede never doubted Bill’s loyalty or his love. He loved spoiling her with gifts, although some of his questionable choices became family lore. He was known for his generosity, not necessarily his good taste. But Bill was so affable, even his misguided gestures only made him more endearing. Dede and Bill’s greatest gift to each other is without question four kind, gentle, thoughtful, smart, and loving boys.
Bill preferred doing over talking, unless one of his boys needed advice. Then, according to his oldest son Cameron, he was all-in on ‘very long, in-depth conversations.’ Cameron says that’s what he’ll miss most about the man who taught him that everyone deserved patience and kindness.
Reagan said his dad was probably his friend first, his dad second, although he did have more wisdom to share than most of his friends. He never had to walk through a storm alone because his Dad wanted to be by his side, helping him through even the most difficult moments, teaching him how to manage emotions and deal with people. He said he used logic to examine every aspect of a problem and then think through solutions with him.
Wesley was Bill’s favorite movie-watching buddy. Even as he was fighting for his life in the hospital, they kept up on the latest movie reviews. As Wesley got older and developed other friendships, Bill devised a way to keep their connection alive. He included Wesley’s friends, whether it was movies or video games, he was happy to spring for extra tickets if it meant more time with his son. Bill’s skills as a wingman didn’t diminish, even as illness ravaged his body. He attempted playing matchmaker with one of the medical aides, asking if she might like to meet his single handsome son Wesley. She was game…and Bill earned one final Stockton-like assist.
Chase said his dad worked hard and was always willing to sacrifice for other people. He didn’t share his dad’s love of video games, so they decided laughing at funny videos would be their thing. He will miss hearing his unique laugh, hearing him say ‘I seen’ something, asking us all to ‘excuse my French’ or ‘pound sand.’ But most of all, he’ll miss watching rainstorms from the warmth of their front porch with his dad.
Bill was preceded in death by beloved family members—his grandparents, his sister Kristy (Daren Ahlstrom) and his father-in-law Robert Miller. He is survived by his wife Dede and their sons Cameron, Reagan, Wesley, and Chase; his parents Kay and Arlene, his sisters Julie Jenson (Joe) and Becky Hansen (Matt) and his brother Robert Ryan (Renata); as well as a many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
Bill’s family is forever grateful to the highly skilled medical team at LDS Hospital, especially his oncologist Dr. Brigitta Mitchell and an excellent team of nurses, occupational and respiratory therapists, and aides.
If the meaning of life is found in the minutia of living, Bill was a master. His life was the kind of love letter to his family that becomes more precious with time.
Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 11th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1365 E Center St, Heber, UT. Viewings will be held at the church on Wednesday, June 10th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and again on Thursday, June 11th from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Burial will follow the funeral at the Heber Cemetery.
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