William John Ryde
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — William John Ryde, known to all as Bill, was born on Monday, July 2nd, 1951, to the late Robert Emerson and Hope Olivia Ryde, and passed away peacefully with family by his side on Sunday, September 7th, 2025, at the age of 74 in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, James Arthur Ryde. He is survived by loving wife of 35 years, Deborah Kramer Ryde; stepsons, Robert Alan (Brittney) Karber, Jr., and James (Shanan) Karber; sister, Lynn Ryde (Nancy Crutcher) Moosman; six grandchildren also survive.
Bill was raised in Escanaba, Michigan, and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1970. He later moved to Marquette, Michigan, where he lived, worked, and went to school at Northern Michigan University, graduating in June of 1979. During his adult years, Bill earned his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying small, single engine, planes around the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and in central Florida after moving there for work where he worked as I.T. specialists at Disney World until his retirement.
Bill and his wife, Debbie, were married on Saturday, November 11th, 1989, and shared an incredible love story and family for over 35 years. During that time, they live in Lake Alfred, Florida, until they moved to Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, in July 2018.
A member of Suggs Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Bill was an active member in the church until his health prevented him from continuing. He was a hobbyist marksman, enjoying pistol target shooting and later developing the skill and hobby of gun drilling and machining.
Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com