Phillip Wayne Ryals

Phillip Wayne Ryals, 69, of Mesquite, Texas, passed away peacefully on 11/26/2025 in Gatesville, TX.

Phillip was born on December 30, 1955, in Madill, Oklahoma, to Joy Wayne Ryals and Evie Marie Ryals. He lived a life marked by grit, humor, and a spirit uniquely his own. Phillip graduated from Mesquite High School, where he ran track and began a bull-riding path that would shape much of his life.

Phillip rode professionally as a bull rider, embracing the cowboy lifestyle with fearlessness, determination, and the toughness of a true rodeo hand. He carried countless stories from inside and outside the arena, memories that friends and family will cherish for years to come.

Away from the rodeo, Phillip took pride in a lifetime of hard work. He was a skilled tile setter, known for his steady hands, craftsmanship, and the pride he put into every job. Whether laying a perfect line or finishing a clean edge, Phillip worked with the same determination he carried throughout his life.

Phillip also embraced the simple traditions of country living. He spent many years raising and caring for his game roosters, a passion that kept him connected to his roots. He loved the outdoors, and fishing was one of his greatest pleasures. Whether casting into a quiet creek or sitting beside a lake at sunrise, Phillip found peace in the water. His family will never forget him smiling as he’d call out, “Here Fishy Fishy in a brook, get on Fat Phill’s hook!”

He had a deep love for country music, and it was rare to see him without a song playing in the background.

Country music was the soundtrack of his life.

Those who knew Phillip will remember his one-of-a-kind sense of humor, his stubborn streak, and the “throwed off” personality that made him unforgettable.

Phillip was preceded in death by his parents, Joy Wayne Ryals and Evie Marie Ryals.

His children survive him: Clinton Ryals and wife Holly; Casandra Williams and husband Kyle; and Samuel Ryals.

His grandchildren also survive him: Mason Williams, Colton Williams, Kennedy Crouch, Chandler Crouch, June Ryals, and Maisy Ryals. He is also survived by his brother, Gary Lynn Ryals, whose bond with Phillip was one of genuine loyalty, love, and the kind of brotherhood shared only by the two of them.

Phillip leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and stories, each one a reminder of the unique spirit that defined his life.

Funeral services will be held at Lawson Funeral Home in Meridian, Texas, on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 9:00 am, where family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and honor Phillip’s life. He will be laid to rest at Clifton Memorial Park near those who will continue to visit him and carry his memory forward.

Psalm 23:4

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”

Bull Rider’s Farewell

Phillip has taken his final ride, holding on for all 8 seconds. May he ride high in Heaven’s arena, where the bulls buck high, and the pain is no more.

“Ride high, cowboy”

Arrangements were entrusted to Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas 254-435-2792.