Willie Arnold Ryman, Jr., of Port Arthur, TX, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, April 15, 2018, at the age 88. He was in good company and surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing. Willie was born March 6, 1930, in Port Arthur, TX, to Willie Arnold Ryman, Sr., and Hulda Highberg Ryman.
He was a lifelong resident of the Pear Ridge Community and a charter member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church. He was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in 1949 and remained an avid fan of the Yellow Jackets where he was instrumental in forming the first TJ High School Booster Club. Willie proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War where he flew in 96 combat missions.
He also served 38 years at Texaco as a clerk. He then worked and eventually retired from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department where he served as a corrections officers. During his time as a corrections officer, he initiated an inmate GED program.
Willie was well read and especially focused on all aspects of military history. He had strong interests in the outdoors and traveled throughout the US while raising a family. During these travels, he enjoyed camping, fishing, crabbing and oystering.
Most of all, he loved fixing things and was a self-taught mechanic working on motorcycles and other machines in his garage. He was quite handy as a carpenter and often could be found adding extensions to his house. Willie and his family loved music and often played the guitar singing old depression era songs, cowboy songs or old hymns — and whatever his son Barry was playing.
Willie loved his family and enjoyed everyone coming to visit. Whether it was a sing-along on the back porch or enjoying a table full of steamed crabs, everyone was always welcome. Willie will be remembered for his honesty, giving spirit, talkative nature, joyful disposition, and simple lifestyle with the belief and focus of doing the best you could do.
Willie was a devout Christian with strong faith in God and often stated that he believed in the Bible and every word in it. He will be missed. His life and legacy lives on through his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Shirley Ryman; son, Willie Ryman, III, grandson, Willie Ryman, IV, and stepfather James McCarry. He is survived by Marie Ryman, as well his children Kim Chiasson, Barry Ryman, Karla Ryman Needels, son-in-law, Russ Needles; grandchildren Erin Rocap, Sasha Sparks, Claire DeLeon, Ciara Dixon, Katherine King, Terra Ryman, Walker and Victoria Needels; great-grandchildren Tony, Cheyenne, Colt, Billy, Sage, Jolea, Lily, Layne, Remy, Music, Alice, Theodore, Logan, Landon and Bear; and great-great grandchildren Carson and Asher. He was truly one of a kind.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at 1 pm, Friday, April 20, at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, TX, followed by funeral services at 2 pm. Military Funeral Honors will be performed graveside at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery following the services. Friends wishing to make memorial contributions may send them to: Port Arthur Firefighters Local 397 Willie A. Ryman Scholarship Fund; c/o Port Arthur Community Federal Credit Union, 3100 Central Mall Drive, Port Arthur, Texas 77642, (409)729-7938, Account #9007.
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