MR. JOHN WILLIAM RYALS, age 80, of Rhine, GA, died Thursday, July 8, 2021, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Saturday, July 10, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Bill Jones and Rev. Daniel Cook officiating, with interment in Bay Springs Cemetery in Rhine. William was born and raised in Rhine, a member of Fair Haven Baptist Church, and was a 1959 graduate of Dodge County High School. After high school he married the love of his life and they moved to Savannah in the mid-1960s to begin their family and he went to work as an inspector for the Georgia DOT. He returned to Rhine in the early 1970s and went to work for Rayonier until the 1990s, where he then worked for International Paper Company until his retirement in 2008, to cap a career that spanned over 40 years. He was a dedicated husband, and a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who was affectionately called “Bug” by his family, and enjoyed farming and operating heavy equipment. He was a master carpenter who enjoyed lending his skills to help his family and community. He also enjoyed gospel music, was an avid coon hunter, and enjoyed riding his Kawasaki Mule with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. William was the son of the late Essie Mae Myers Ryals-Harrell and Thomas Curtis Ryals He is survived by his Loving Wife of 58 years; Daughter; 2 Sons; 6 Grandchildren; 5 Great-Grandchildren; 4 Sisters; 3 Brothers; Brother-in-law; Numerous Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins. The family may be contacted at the Ryals residence and will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 6:00PM-8:00PM Friday, July 9.