Loving father, accomplished artist, mentor and friend William George Ryder, Jr. was known by many for his unyielding creativity and love of community. He departed this life on May 5, 2017.
Born February 25, 1935 in Baskett, Kentucky to William George Ryder Sr. and Nannie Marie Pickle (both deceased), Ryder grew up in the southern Indiana town of Evansville, IN.
As a child, he was active in many activities including soap box derby racing. In 1953, he graduated from Lincoln High School in Evansville with a major in industrial arts. He was the vice-president of his senior class.
After high school, Ryder joined the Air Force. While in the military, he worked as an aircraft electrician and competed as a middleweight boxer. He held an undefeated 12-0 record during his career.
He later married Betty Hill. The pair were involved in a host of social and civic activities and were even featured in Life magazine for being a successful young Black professional couple. Their son Mark was the only child.
Ryder lived all across the nation, moving from Michigan to the Mojave Desert and even to Los Angeles. He settled in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1966. It was here that he became the first African-American to be employed by International Harvester as a stationary engineering apprentice. He later became the first African-American to receive a full scholarship to John Herron Art Institute’s evening program. Ambitious by nature, Ryder took 15 credit hours while working 40 hours a week. Upon graduation he opened Ryder Graphics, INC in 1970, a complete graphic, typesetting and print shop. After experiencing much adversity due to corruption and racism, Ryder left the business and began managing his frustration by creating sculptures at the age of 60, thus beginning his artistic career.
The work he created reflected his life experience as a Black man growing up with limited wealth. His creations often consisted of items that had been discarded and deemed useless. He found joy in being able to re-purpose ‘junk’ items and give them a new life. Ryder’s art captures the joy, pain, triumph, struggles and despair of Black life in America, through depictions of religion, jazz music, street life and other topics. Ryder would find solace in nature, spending hours in the woods with his art absorbing the colors created by God or out in front of his home so that the neighborhood children could see him at work. Ryder remained diligent, spending upwards of 9 years on some pieces, working with them until he found they were complete. He created so many pieces that they filled the entire first floor of his home, transforming it into a personal gallery. Ryder was recognized by publications across the state of Indiana and his work was showcased in galleries around the city of Indianapolis.
A creator to the end, he continued making art until his last day.
Ryder leaves behind a son Mark Ryder (TaJuana Laquicia Ryder, spouse), siblings Dora Edmonds, Sally Yates and Mary Ryder Taylor along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He is joined in death by his parents and siblings Virginia Ryder, Laureen Edwards, Carlos Bowman, Shirley Bowman and David Bowman.
A public viewing will be held on Monday May 22 at Light of the World Christian Church from 10 a.m. until noon. Ryder will be laid to rest at the Marion National Cemetery.
