William V. "Toolie" Ryan, Jr of Pittsburg, Oklahoma died Sunday, March 10, 2013 in McAlester at the age of 93. Toolie was born to William Vallis and Rosie (Crawford) Ryan January 3, 1920 in Harrison, Arkansas. He was raised in Harrison, Arkansas and attended school in Kiowa. He joined the US Army and served in World War II as "Private Ryan". He married Georgia Marie Ellison April 1, 1947 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He worked as an Inspector for the Naval Ammunition Depot retiring in 1977. Toolie was an active member of Pittsburg Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon and layman. He played baseball with the McAlester rockets. Toolie was an avid OU fan and enjoyed watching football, quail hunting, raising bird dogs, fishing and gardening. Survived by 2 sons, Jim Ryan and wife, Wanda of Kiowa, Oklahoma, Joe Ryan and wife, Janie of Pittsburg, Oklahoma; seven step grandchildren; numerous step great grandchildren; nieces and nephews: Bonnie Niebert of Springfield, MO, Alta King, Wilma Pollack, Mary Tabor, Bert Ryan, Arch Ryan, Bill Ryan, Patsy McBee, all of Harrison, AR, Betty Blessing of Savanna, OK, Johnny Wood, Norma Wood, Bo Wood, all of Pittsburg, OK; best friend, Herbert Cox of Kiowa, OK and numerous other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by: parents, William Vallis Ryan, Sr. and Rosie Ryan; his wife Marie in 1999; an infant daughter; brothers: Clay Felix Ryan, Jessie Warren Ryan, James Gregg Ryan, Hubert William Ryan, Clyde Isaac Ryan, Norman Morris Ryan; aunt and uncle, Walter and Ida Hayes. The family will greet friends 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at Chaney-Harkins Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 13, 2013 at Pittsburg Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Kenny Morrow and Kenny Sherrill. Interment will follow in Pittsburg Cemetery, Pittsburg, Oklahoma with military honors provided by the VFW, Robert B. Thomas, Post # 1098. Pallbearers will be: Jim Ward, Haskell Melton, Don Caudill, Joe Pete Echelle, Jerry Johnston and John Robison. Honorary pallbearers will be: J.N. Smith, Harlow Cunningham, Joe Sullivan, Jim Sullivan, Bill Staples and Herbert Cox. Arrangements entrusted to Chaney-Harkins Funeral Home, McAlester, OK.
