Wayne Paul Ryland, 80 of Carl Junction, Missouri left this life surrounded by family, Monday evening, January 6, 2025 after a short illness. He was born in November of 1944 in Union City, PA to his mother Louise Whitney Smith Ryland Horvath and father, John “Jack” Wesley Ryland.
Wayne graduated from Union City High School in 1962. He enlisted in the Army, fought in the Vietnam War and attended Officer Candidate School graduating in 1967. During his time in Vietnam he was awarded numerous medals including three Bronze Stars. He retired as Captain in the First Infantry Division. After the Army, Wayne attended Penn State University and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry.
Wayne started his life-long career with International Paper. His job brought him to Joplin, MO in 1976 where he met his wife, Betty Ryland, of 48 years the very first night in Joplin. Together they raised three daughters; Melody Carroll, Tammy Belk, Sheila Rees and son, Sean Ryland.
Wayne loved the outdoors, fishing and hunting. His true calling was hunting with his taxidermy rivaling the most professional of hunters. You would often find Wayne tinkering around in his barn working on projects or in his yard tending to his flowers.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father and three older brothers; Robert Ryland, Jack Ryland and Lynn Ryland. He is survived by his wife, daughters, son, two grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and his sister Ingrid Ryland Combs.
The family will have a Celebration of Life Ceremony at Smithfield Christian Church located at 7627 County Road 304 in Carl Junction, MO on January 30, 2025 at 5:30pm. There will be a private full Military Honor burial at the National Cemetery in Springfield, MO scheduled for a later date.
The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations are sent to the Wounded Warrior project. Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park Crematory of Joplin, MO.