William Alfred Bryars, Jr. was born on November 18, 1937 to William Alfred, Sr. and Nancy Evelyn Bryars in Bay Minette, AL. He graduated from Baldwin County High School and served in the Army National Guard from 1954-1963. Bill had the distinction of serving as Bay Minette’s first non-voluntary Fire Chief 1974 to 1977. In 1977 he relocated to Pelham, Alabama to serve as the city's Fire Chief until 1984. Following his service in Pelham, he was employed as the Fire Protection Specialist at International Paper in Mobile, AL from 1985 to 1998. Bill was a past Master of Bay Minette Masonic Lodge #498 and a current member of Loop Masonic Lodge #895. He joined the Abba Shrine Temple in 1987.
He is preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, Otis Smith, baby sister, daughter in law Janice Bryars and grandson Justin Hyde. He is survived by his beloved bride of 31 years Deborah Bryars, his daughter Patti (Bruce) Smith, his sons David (Sonja) Bryars, Scott Bryars, Bart (Kate) Bryars, his stepdaughter Beth (David) Kennemore, stepsons Bryant (Lisa) Blackwelder and David Blackwelder, grandchildren Christopher (Andrea) Bryars, Hayden (Ashley) Bryars, Whitney (Lee ) Sullivan, Chandler Bryars, Jackson Fulton, Nate Fulton, Otto Blackwelder, Taylor (Rachel) Wellborn, Bradley LeMaster, Emily Taylor, and great-grandchildren Corban, Sunny, Maggie, and Liam Bryars, Jack and Oakley Sullivan, Lilyana Beacham, JJ Hyde, Maddox and Jace Wellborn, and many nieces and nephews.
Bill will be laid to rest on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. The funeral service will be held at Manor Baptist Church, 1604 Navco Road, Mobile, AL 36605 at 2pm. Family visitation will be from 11am-12pm. Friends are welcomed between 12pm-2pm. A Masonic graveside service will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery, 1929 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, AL 36605.
