William F. Ryan

For the politician, see William Fitts Ryan.

William F. Ryan (1907–1954), nicknamed The Bronx Comet, was an American checkers player who won national titles in both 1939 and 1946. He counted Sam Gonotsky as a mentor and friend. He was known as the champion of "blindfold checkers" and wrote several books on the game. He also worked on a draughts magazine and once played against musician Benny Goodman. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1954.