Roll Call Tribute

William Walter Bryan
August 23, 1936 - September 16, 2022

William Walter (Walt/”Wooter”) Bryan, Colonel, USAF (Ret.), formerly of Cookson, Oklahoma, and most recently of Culpeper, Virginia, went home to be with the Lord, and the love of his life, Marlene, on September 16, 2022.

He was born on a large family farm to Frankie Ailee (Bird) Bryan and Roderick Olonza (Rod) Bryan, Sr. on August 23, 1936, in Forrest City, AR. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Frances Marlene Bryan, his mother, his father, brothers Billy B. Bryan of Fayetteville AR and Roderick Olonza (Buddy) Bryan, Jr., sisters Anna Faye (Bryan) Childs and Sarah Frances (Bryan) Clark, and nephew Roderick Olonza (Lug) Bryan, III, all of Forrest City, AR.

Walt graduated Forrest City High School in May 1954, where he met the love of his life Frances Marlene Byrd, and participated in band, glee club, choir, Spanish Club, and National Honor Society.

He enrolled in Texas A&M University in September 1954, and Marlene followed him to Texas. They were wed on February 1, 1955, in Houston. While at A&M, he participated in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, Air Force ROTC, American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Alpha Zeta fraternity, and Tau Beta Pi fraternity. In May 1958, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering, a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force, whereupon he entered pilot training in February of 1959 following a short stint working as a unit engineer trainee with the US Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service. He and Marlene were blessed with the birth of their son, Bill, in February 1959.

He obtained his Air Force pilot rating in March 1960, and served in operational flying assignments until June of 1970, accumulated approximately 5,000 flying hours as pilot, instructor pilot, and flight examiner.

He served operational deployments in Vietnam, accumulating three years in-country. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Logistics Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology in August 1971. He retired from active military service on February 28, 1989, in the grade of Colonel, having served assignments in HQ USAF, HQ Air Force Systems Command, HQ Air Force Logistics Command, Air Command and Staff College, the Aeronautical Systems Division, and the Ballistic Missile Office. Among his awards are the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.

Upon retirement, Walt obtained a mathematics teacher credential through the California State University San Bernardino, CA, and taught high school mathematics at Pacific High School until June 2000. Following his teaching stint, he and Marlene moved to Cookson, OK where they designed their dream home overlooking beautiful Lake Tenkiller and received family and friends over the years. And, oh - the views of the Lake from sun-up to sun-down! Being a farmer, engineer, and constructor seemingly from birth, he transformed the landscape of the property during his time allotted there from a steep sloped lot to a multi-leveled, terraced sanctuary.

Walt became a member of the First Methodist Church in Forrest City, AR circa 1950, and remained active in his local church (where stationed), participating in choir, adult Sunday school, Council on Ministries, Finance Committees, and Staff Parish Relations Committees throughout his days on this Earth. To quote from one of his favorite hymns, “...praise the Lord for the things He has done!”

He is survived by his son William Walter (Bill) Bryan III, and wife Susan of Warrenton, VA; grandchildren Nathan Avery Bryan (wife Laura) of Falls Church, VA, Caitlin Marie (Bryan) Kirby (husband Adam) of Springfield, VA, Lauren Alane Bryan of San Diego, CA, Mallory Faith Bryan of Raleigh, NC, and great grandson William Walter (Liam) Bryan, IV of Falls Church, VA.

Also surviving are brothers-in-law Charles Harper of Vilonia, AR, and Victor Harper of Newton, KS; nieces Brenda Sue Bryan of Fort Collins, CO, Pamela Jo (Bryan) Gibson of Benton, AR, Holly Reonne (Childs) Honeycutt of Heber Springs, AR, Becky Ann (Bryan) Huckaba of Forrest City, AR, and Patricia Ann (Bryan / Necessary) Hawkins of Rogers, AR, Sandra O’Dell Imel of Muskogee, OK, Kristie Edwards of Fort Gibson, OK, Tracey Eckroth of Birmingham, AL; nephews Michael O’Dell of Muskogee, OK, Richard Harper of Vilonia, AR, Steven Harper of Shreveport, LA, Scott Harper of Shreveport, LA, dear family friends Paige & Steve Brown of Freeport, FL, and the congregants at Cookson UMC.

The family will receive friends Friday, October 7, 2022, at Moser Funeral Home, 233 Broadview Ave., Warrenton, VA from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. when the funeral service will begin. Burial will follow in Culpeper National Cemetery at 12 Noon with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndromes) Foundation, and Samaritan’s Purse Operation Heal Our Patriots.