BRYANT
Billy Ray “Buck” Bryant passed away Sunday, May 22, 2022 at Peyton Hospice House from complications of dementia. He was born in Clintonville, WV on December 14, 1935, the only son of Helena Virginia Hundley Bryant and Dewey E. Bryant.
He graduated from Rupert High School in 1955, where he played football, basketball, and other sports. He shared the honor with his classmates of being the state runner up in 1954 for basketball. Also, he and his classmates were the GVAA champs in basketball in 1955.
He received an Associate of Arts Degree from Beckley College, a Bachelor of Science Degree from Morris Harvey College (now Charleston University), and a Masters of Education Degree from Bowie State College (now Bowie State University).
Before graduating from college, he began his career in a one-room school in Layland, WV. The experience was wonderful, in that he was the only teacher, the bus driver, the physical education teacher, the builder of the fire in the pot belly stove, he made home visits, and sometimes his car was used as the school bus.
After graduating from college in 1959, he taught in Iaeger High School for five years, where he taught twelfth grade government classes. The remainder of his career was spent in Prince George’s County, MD, where he taught for 27 years in three middle schools. He was honored as the coach of the year in tennis and co-coach of the year in wrestling.
Billy is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carolyn Ann Berry Bryant; sisters, Betty Bryant Hanna and her husband, Earl “Dick” Hanna, Mary “Lizzie” Hendrix and husband, Ray; a very special cousin (like a brother), Delbert Hundley of North Carolina; a niece, Shelia Kridler and husband, Tod; nephews, David (wife, Diane) Hanna and Rick Hanna; and several great-nephews and one great-niece.
He also has nieces and nephews on his wife’s side of the family, David (wife Becky) Berry, Barbara (husband Fred) Marashi, Robert “Bobby” (wife Brenda) Berry, Terry (wife Barbara) Burke, James “Jim” Burke, Mary Alice Fain, Martha DiGiovine, and Harold (wife Ginger) Fain, Gwinn Berry, and Richard Berry. There are some great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. He has one living aunt, Gladys Rockenbaugh, who lives with her daughter, Jeann Rockenbaugh.
Surviving also are Yorkies, Bucky Ray and Buffy Ray Bryant, who are named after him and who loved him dearly. Other loves of his life were Missy, Vago, Benji, Mr. Cuddles, Garnie, and Prissy.
In his earlier years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, but never killed an animal. He loved all animals. He enjoyed feeding the birds and the deer. A buck actually took food from out of his hands. He was a very good gardener as well.
There will be a private memorial service Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg, with Brother, Ron Lilly officiating. He will be entombed at Wallace Memorial Mausoleum, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Billy are asked to make a contribution to the Greenbrier County Humane Society or any animal charity of your choice, because of his love for animals.
Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements.
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