Obituary – William Alton Bryant, Jr

Published 12:49 pm Tuesday, July 23, 2019

William Alton Bryant, Jr., 80,  was born in Oxford, Miss., on April 19, 1939, and died at home in New Orleans on July 9, 2019. He grew up on the Ole Miss campus graduating from University High School. After earning degrees from Rice and Tulane Universities, he taught Social Studies for 32 years in the New Orleans Public schools at Gateway, John F. Kennedy, and Edna Karr. He was a proud member of the United Teachers of New Orleans (LFT, AFT, AFL-CIO), serving on various committees and was a member of the Executive Council for several years.

Mr. Bryant wants to thank all of his students who made teaching such a joy. He hopes they remember all those 150 question exams, the maps, the movies, and the wrong word questions. (Many of his former students have written tributes to him which can be viewed at www.schoenfh.com). He was especially proud of his service in the US Army and was the commanding officer of the 554 Engineer Company (Float Bridge) at Fort Lewis, Washington in 1963.

Mr. Bryant was predeceased by his parents, Dr. William Alton Bryant and Mrs. Willie Hume Branham Bryant, and his youngest brother, David Leland Bryant. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dr. Georgia Morrison Bryant; his brother, Alfred Hume Bryant (Frances); his sister, Mary Betsy Bryant Bellande (Bruce), and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of his life will be held later this year. Memorial donations may be made to the Second Harvest Food Bank, 700 Edwards Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70123.