Willard Bryant

Willard T. “Sawdust” Bryant of Texarkana, AR, age 97, died on January 25, 2013 at the Dubuis Hospital following a lengthy battle with pneumonia. Mr. Bryant was born on April 14, 1915 in Doddridge, AR to Jessie and Mary Bryant.

Mr. Bryant was a Mason, lifetime PTA member, and a founder of the Arkansas School Band Booster Club. His business career began with cutting and hauling logs before owning and operating his own sawmill for 50 years with his business partner Don Horn.

After retiring, he enjoyed traveling with his wife of 60 years and spending time with his family. He was a member and a deacon of Beech Street First Baptist Church for 60 years where he touched many lives as a teacher and a greeter. He was always ready with a smile, a helping hand, and an encouraging word.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorene Combs Bryant and sons, Willard Eber Bryant, Wesley Bryant and daughters, Julia Dungan and Frances LaVera Bryant.

He is survived by his daughters, Janice Barnes of Germantown, TN and MaryBess Cunningham of Texarkana, AR. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren: Carissa Golden of Dallas, TX, Kerri O’Connor of Marble Falls, TX, Jeff Bryant of Lockhart, TX, Nathan Bryant of Edmond, OK, Kelly Day of Texarkana, TX, Debbie Jones of Springfield, VA, Frances Gibson of Clovis, CA, Chris Dungan of The Woodlands, TX, Wendy McEntee of Germantown, TN, Bill Barnes of Cordova, TN, Joshua Cunningham of Arlington, VA, Holly, Bryant and Stephen Cunningham, all of Texarkana, AR. He also leaves behind thirteen greatgrandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Family visitation will be held at East Funeral Home, Downtown Texarkana, AR on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 from 6 – 8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at Beech Street First Baptist Church at 10 am with interment at East Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to KLFI TV (Beech Street Communications), 601 Beech St., Texarkana, AR. Online registration is at www.eastfuneralhomes.com