William (Bill) Clark Ryder

Bill passed from this life into the arms of his Savior on July 17, 2023, at his home in Fort Mill, South Carolina, with his son by his side, at the age of 87.

Bill accepted Christ as a young child and was a member of Philadelphia United Methodist in Fort Mill. His faith and trust in Jesus gave him the strength to become the man we all knew and loved. He graduated from Munich (Germany) American High School in 1954. Bill served in the U.S. Navy from 1954-1958, earning the rank of first class petty officer in the field of Aviation Electrical Engineering. Bill earned his engineering degree from Virginia Polytechnical Institute (Virginia Tech) in 1964. He worked for Honeywell as a field engineer for 20 years in Massachusetts and Illinois.

Bill was a member of the Carolina Copy Cats for 15 years. He enjoyed entertaining, building things, helping others, working in his yard, telling stories, and enjoying a good meal. But Bill enjoyed spending time with his family the most. His love for his family and others was evident in his words (stories) and actions. He shared with his family that he truly lived the American dream.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Lois T. Ryder, parents, Richard F. Ryder and Lola J. Ryder-Deason; his brothers, Nelson, Red, Winston, and Richard, his sisters, Margie Bailes, Felicia Bennett and Marianne Sampson.

Bill is survived by his son Stephen of Urbana, IL and his children, Johnathan Ryder and Heather Ryder, daughter Diane Dulin (Roger) of Fort Mill, SC and their children, Amber Hennighan (Zac) and Spencer Dulin, and daughter Laurie Ryder of Hobart, IN; great grandchildren, Aerial Ryder, Liam Worthen, Zayne Ryder, Domanick Ryder and Riley Hennighan; sisters Jeannie Keifer and Meyna Williams; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please send a gift to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or Tunnels2Towers