Billy Gene Ryan

On, Monday, August 14, 2023, Heaven welcomed a friend and servant of Jesus Christ, Billy Gene Ryan. Billy was born on December 7, 1928, in Hartselle, Alabama to Erman E Ryan and Zelda C Ryan (Rains). Billy was predeceased by his sister, Betty Jo Dial, Nanny, Eula Banks, brother-in-law, Kenny Head, and sister-in-law Cathy Head.

Billy was devoted to his wife, Gwen Y Ryan (Head) for 75 years. Billy and Gwen married on May 2, 1948, after serving in the Navy from January 1946 to November 1948. Billy and Gwen had 5 children: Son, Robert (Bob) Ryan and his wife Charlotte, 2 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Daughter, Debora Hill and her husband Terry Hill, 3 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Son, Jack Ryan and his wife Betty Ryan (Faulkner), 1 grandson. Daughter, Peggy Powell and her husband John Powell, 2 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Son, James (Jim) Ryan and his wife Carol Ryan, 3 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren.

Billy graduated High School from Artesia, New Mexico in 1946; California Baptist College in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies; a Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth in 1970. He was honored by California Baptist College with Distinguished Alumni of the Year in 1983 and was President of the California Southern Baptist Pastors Conference 1983-84. Billy pastored 5 Southern Baptist Church from 1959 until 1989; He was President of The Bill Ryan Evangelistic Association from 1972 to 1976; Director of Missions for the Redwood Baptist Association from 1976 to 1985. Billy and Gwen retired in 1989 and moved to Texas where he served in many churches as an intentional interim pastor.

Billy’s passion was serving his Lord and Savior through the local church as a shepherding pastor and leading others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Billy and Gwen were blessed to travel to almost all the states in the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska. They also visited many countries including Europe and Mexico. Billy never met a stranger and in almost every place he visited he could find someone he knew, or they would share an acquaintance.

Billy will be greatly missed and remembered for his grace and love for his family, his churches, his ministry, and those around him. In his last few years with his memory failing, he never quit encouraging others or stopping to pray for them.

His family would like to express their gratitude to the Country Club Assisted Living and Townhall Estates Nursing Facility for the love and care they gave Billy over these past 11 years. It was an honor to have these gifted professionals serve his health needs with much love and care.

A Celebration of Life Services will be held Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 1:00 pm at First Baptist Church, Whitney Texas. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Home in Whitney on August 25, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Yucatan Outreach Ministries, 1120 Huffman Road Suite 24PMB 581, Anchorage, AK 99515