Herman B. Justice

Bryant was born in Calcis on Nov. 11, 1928, and raised there where he worked for a time in his father's lumber business. After graduating from Vincent High School in 1946, he attended Massey Business College in Birmingham. In the Korean War he served his country in the U.S. Army. During a short leave of absence from Camp Pickett, Virginia, he hurried home to marry Katherine Montgomery of Vincent, AL, on June 4, 1951, at First Baptist Church Vincent. He was then stationed in Germany while Katherine completed her degree at A.P.I. (Auburn). Following his discharge as a Sergeant First Class-Infantry on Oct. 31, 1952, Bryant returned home to attend Auburn.

While at Auburn, he and Katherine began their family with the birth of their son, Bill. In pursuit of his degree in business administration, Bryant made the Dean's List seven times. Following his graduation in 1956, he led his young family to Appleton, Wisconsin, where he entered a new program of on-the-job training in paper mill management with Kimberly-Clark Corp., leading to a career in the paper industry. Daughter Suzanne joined the family there, and soon the growing family made the short move to Kimberly, Wisconsin. Upon his transfer by Kimberly-Clark, Bryant once again led his family on a move, this time to Centerville, Ohio, where the youngest child, son John, was born.

A desire to return home to Alabama (and to avoid his children becoming Yankees) led to a change in employment to Nekoosa-Edwards Paper Co. A short return north to Port Edwards, Wisconsin, was followed by a transfer to a new paper mill and another move to Ashdown, Arkansas, where the children quickly learned to speak proper Southern like their parents. A final change in companies to Champion International Corp. came a few years later, and once again the family moved, this time to Decatur, AL. Bryant helped start up the new mill in Courtland, AL, where he worked for many years before taking a well-earned early retirement. The last move was to Calcis, back among relatives and friends. Katherine was excited because after years of travel with her "dream retirement house plans" on hold, she and Bryant could finally carry them out. For over three decades their lovely home-situated in an idyllic setting almost two miles from the nearest paved road-has been a gathering place for family and friends to camp, hike, fish, hunt, and feast on good Southern food (especially Katherine's homemade biscuits).

Bryant was proud of his roots in Calcis, Shelby County, and Alabama. He taught his children the value of hard work, honesty, integrity, discipline, and loyalty. He served for many years as a deacon at First Baptist Church Vincent where he also served for a time as brotherhood director. He loved to hunt and fish, and he really enjoyed telling others about the "old days" and the history of Calcis.

Bryant was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert R. Justice and Hester Kate Clinkscales Justice; sister Frances I. Justice Warren; and brother, Tillman Eugene Justice. He is survived by his lovely wife of 69 years, Katherine Montgomery Justice; son, William R. Justice, Sr. (Beverly) of Columbiana, AL; daughter, Suzanne Justice Harris (Don) of Evans, GA; and son, John B. Justice (Leana) of Madison, AL. He is also survived by sisters, Sarah T. Justice Malcolm of Richmond, TX, and Martha Anne Justice Abernathy of Calcis, AL; brother, Harold R. Justice of Madison, AL; six grandchildren: Nikki Drury, Christina Peck, William R. Justice, Jr., Andrew L. Justice, Denisen B. Justice, and Elliot B. Justice; seven great-grandchildren: Niklaus Drury, Thea Joy Drury, Amelia Drury,

Sawyer Justice, Cameron Peck, Caroline Justice, and Mary Katherine Justice; special friend, Freddie Taylor; and his loving caregivers from Pathlight Seniorcare Services, including Marva Bailey and Lakeisha Moore.

A graveside service will be held at Macedonia North Cemetery (Hwy #231) on Friday, January 29th at 2:00 p.m. Kilgroe Funeral Home of Pell City and Robbie Weems and Darryl Woods, officiating.

Please sign online condolences at www.kilgroefh.com

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to your church or a worthy cause of your choice.