Ryan was a 1997 graduate of Murphysboro High School and was a member of the Crimson Express Band and also played football. He received an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from John A. Logan College.

Ryan was an avid duck and deer hunter and was a member of Ducks Unlimited Saluki Chapter. He was also recognized by The Southern Illinoisian as the biggest Chicago Cubs fan in Southern Illinois.

Survivors include his wife, Heather of Murphysboro; two children, Alana and Alexis; his mother, Pamela S. Foley of Murphysboro; father and step-mother, John and Tracee Foley of Anna; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Austin and Kathy Riggio of Murphysboro; grandmother, Doris Williams of Murphysboro; two sisters, Katie and Jenna Foley, both of Murphysboro; step-brother and his wife, Matthew and Emily McMurray of Round Lake, Illinois; three sisters-in-law, Toni & Husband Doug Rickenberg, Tiffany Riggio and Nikki & Husband Mike Gahagan; nephews Brandon & Brett Rickenberg; nieces Clara & Hannah Gahagan; one uncle and aunt, Stephen and Sue Williams of Murphysboro; cousins, Corey and Nick Williams of Murphysboro; his aunt, Liza Foley of Cleveland, Tennessee and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Parm E. Williams; paternal grandparents, John J. and Arline Foley and by a cousin, Chuck Williams.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 am at the Elm Street Baptist Church with Pastor Michael Nave and Rev. Charles Allen officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Crawshaw Funeral Home in Murphysboro and Saturday at the church from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Tower Grove Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Ryan Foley Fund @ The Bank of Carbondale or the American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.