Walter L. Ryan, age 84 of Olney, passed away at 12:52 AM on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.

Celebration of Life service for Walter and Eva Ryan will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Antioch Christian Church in rural Richland County. Cremation rites were accorded. Burial will be at Stoltz Cemetery in rural Richland County. Pastor Mike Baker and the Richland County Veteran's Organization will be officiating.

Walter was born on May 29, 1933, in Richland County, the son of James Walter and Verna Mae (Linder) Ryan. He later married Eva LeBoeuf on March 29, 1955 in Mineral Wells, Texas. She preceded him in death on January 30, 2018.

He was in the United States Army during the Korean War Conflict in the Battery A 168th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Ribbon, United Nations Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. During his younger years, he was a member of the "Lucky" Lott Hell Drivers where he was a daredevil from 1951 until 1955. During his time with the "Lucky" Lott, he would crash motorcycles and cars during their shows they performed all across the state in front of large crowds of onlookers. He was a member of Antioch Christian Church. He enjoyed gardening and cooking with his wife. He enjoyed watching all kinds of sports and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, Nascar racing fan, and Chicago Bears football fan. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Walter is survived by 2 sons, Calvin Ryan (Sharon) of Austin, TX and Greg Ryan (Theresa) of Louisville, IL; 2 daughters, Rhonda Hasewinkle (Mike) of Browns, IL and Karla Nixon (Greg) of Princeton, IN; 11 grandchildren, Nathan Ryan, Megan Ryan, Amanda Blain, Daniel Blain (Kendra), Kristy Reel (Steven), Tristan Hasewinkle (Billie), Jennifer Nixon, Joe Nixon (Ashley) Greg Nixon (Dawn), Michelle Beshers (Nicholas) and Jacob Nixon; and 19 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Eva Ryan, parents James and Verna Ryan, infant son Jimmy Ryan, brother Richard Ryan, and granddaughter Jennifer Ryan.