William Harry "Bill" Bryant, Commander, U.S. Navy (Retired), age 87, of Bartlett, Tennessee passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021. He was the son of James and Bessie Bryant of Coeburn, Virginia, born October 13, 1933.
He was preceded in death by wives, Edna and Sallie; his parents; and three sisters, Jean Odle, Faye Wilkerson, and Evelyn Atkins. Bill is survived by a son, Stephen Bryant (Elizabeth) of Fredericksburg, Virginia and daughter, Peggy Jean "P. J." Walker (Robert) of Heber Springs, Arkansas; 6 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and step-daughter, Pamela Allen of Memphis, Tennessee. He is also survived by Ann Chapman, his special friend and companion.
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon completion of high school in June 1951 as a Seaman Recruit and retired from active service in June 1982 as a Commander. He served aboard the U.S.S. Neptune and with Commander Service Squadron Four on board the U.S.S. Vulcan and U.S.S. Amphion, served on board the U.S.S. Intrepid and with Commander Amphibious Group Two on Board the U.S.S. Francis Marion and U.S. S. Pocono. His shore assignments were with the Oceanographer of the Navy and with the Plans/Policy Division of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, District of Columbia. Bill was later assigned to the Staff of the Chief of Naval Technical Training in Millington, Tennessee and was the first Commanding Officer of the Personnel Support Activity, Memphis. While on active Naval Service, he attained a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees.
Bill was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, a member of the Fleet Reserve Association Military Officers Association of American, and recently joined the congregation of Collierville First Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends at a visitation with light refreshments on Friday, August 27 beginning at 12:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home - Poplar Chapel, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will immediately follow at Memphis Memory Gardens, 6444 Raleigh Lagrange Road, Memphis.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the BRYANT family.
