William Allen Bryant

William Allen "Bill" Bryant, 83, was born January 9, 1925, in Charlottesville, VA., to Dr. Kirby Knapp Bryant, and Esther Davis Bryant. On September 9, 2008, Bill joined his beloved wife of 55 years, Lilly Exum Bryant, who preceded him in death on December 31, 2006; and their daughter Ellen Melissa Bryant who preceded them both on January 14, 2000. Bill was the loving husband of Lilly Exum Bryant. Together they resided at 11 54th Street, Gulfport, since 1952. Bill seved honorably in the submarine corp of the U. S. Navy seeing action in the South Pacific during WWII. He returned to Oxford, MS and attended the University of Mississippi until he moved to Gulfport where he was the owner of an independent insurance adjusting firm until his retirement. Bill was devoted to his family. Bill is survived by his daughter, Sue Esther Dulin,, and her husband, Tommy, of Gulfport, his son, William Rae Bryant, of Gulfport; his daughter, Lea Bryant Travis, and husband Kearn, of Hattiesburg; four grandchildren, Christina Lea Bryant and William Rae Bryant II, of Gulfport; William Kearney Travis and Leah Jeanette Travis, of Hattiesburg; and brothers, Dr. Kirby Knapp Bryant, Jr., of Anniston, AL. and Phillip Davis Bryant, of Oxford, MS. Special thanks to Barbara McLemore, his extraordinary caregiver, whose kindness and concern were a comfort throughout his illness. Dear Friend, Reverend Rachel Benefield conducted the private ceremony at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens on September 12, 2008. Condolences may be mailed to P.O. Box 820, Gulfport, MS 39502. Contributions in memoriam may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Annual Fund), P.O. Box 4464, Houston, TX 77210-4464. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register at www.bradfordokeefe.com.