William was born in Kew, VIC in March 1885 to Timothy Bernard Ryan and Ann Maria Sheehan - Ann died in 1887 and Timothy remarried in 1888. William had a half-brother, Edward, who is also remembered in the Avenue. William married Kathleen Cussen in 1914 and they had four children; John, born 1914 in Bacchus Marsh, Kathleen, born 1916 in Essendon, William, born 1919 in Essendon and Edward Leo, born 1921 in Alphington⁽³⁾.

William was a Doctor in Bacchus Marsh, VIC - as was his father - when he joined the AIF, Army Medical Corps Reserve, for home duties at the Military Camps⁽¹⁾ on the 23^rd of August 1915, aged 31. He was made an Honorary Captain in March 1916 and applied for a Commission a week later - he was gazetted as a Captain in May. At the end of May, William embarked on the first of many voyages⁽²⁾ overseas as a Senior Medical Officer aboard numerous ships as part of the Army Medical Corps, Sea Transport Service. He was promoted to Major in July.

William was attached for duty with the 2^nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in England for three months in February 1917 and again in October for a short while. He was also attached for duty with the 3^rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital briefly in April 1918. He transferred from Sea Transport Service to Continuous Service and appointed Embarkation Medical Officer at Liverpool in November. In January 1919 he was appointed a temporary Captain in the Regular forces of the British Army. William was granted three months leave in August 1919 before he embarked, for the last time, from England in November as a Duty Medical Officer aboard the Ypiringa. His appointment was terminated in February 1920.

Dr. William Ryan died at Fitzroy, VIC in 1946, aged 61.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour and the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour.

Notes

1. The Bacchus Marsh Express 21 Aug 1915
2. See Timeline for details.
3. From Stephanie Ryan, daughter.
   Edward became an orthopaedic surgeon and general practitioner.