William Bryan Jr.

WILLIAM BRYAN JR.

Tappahannock, Va.

Yes, I am writing my own obituary, because who else would know me better than I do?

The first 68 years of my life was pretty much in good health and then I developed two types of throat cancer and went through a number of treatments, including two types of radiation and chemo for about two years, and then the cancer became complicated with respiratory problems where I slowly ran out of breath and could not continue to breathe. The past two years have been very difficult as I have been hooked to a feeding tube that supplies me with liquid nourishment because I cannot eat real food. In March 2013, one doctor said I had about an hour to live because I couldn't breathe and I had to have an emergency trache-ostomy where they inserted a breathing tube in my throat which was very uncomfortable, but allowed me to breathe somewhat better.

I thank God for my wife Debbie who helped me so much and during the month I was in the hospital in Tappahannock and Newport News, Va., in June and November, never left my side. I also thank Pastor David Donahue of Beale Memorial Baptist Church, who in addition to being my friend, gave me spiritual guidance and helped me keep going. I also wish to thank and praise God for the congregation of my church for their support and prayers, as well as many Facebook friends, many of whom I have never met except through my cyberspace.

I am William (also known as Clockman Bill) Richard Bryan Jr., 71, of Tappahannock, and I went to be with my Lord March 26, 2014.

I was born in Charlottesville, Va., on May 31, 1942, the only son of William Bryan Sr. and Vivian Elizabeth Garrett Bryan. I went on to attend Virginia Tech and I am a Hokie and Redskin fan.

My hobbies include golf, woodworking, writing and especially photography. I was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Moose Lodge 2133.

I am a retired Navy Aviation Anti-Submarine Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer, having served all over the world (a priceless education thanks to the Navy and our fast 4 engine P3 Orion turboprop aircraft). I participated in the 1962 Blockade of Cuba and served three tours in South Vietnam. During my career I was awarded Good Conduct Medals (4), Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Achievement Award, Vietnam Campaign Medal (4), Navy Letter of Commendation, National Defense Medal, Civil Action Medal First Class Color with Palm, and the Combat Air Medal (2) for over 650 hours of Combat Air Patrol.

I am survived by my devoted wife, Debra Louise Bryan of Tappahannock; and two wonderful children by my first wife, Jill Robertson of Dunnsville, Va.: William Whitaker Bryan (Lisa), and stepgrandsons, Christian and Kai, of Melbourne, Fla., and Sarah Lynn Hefel (Craig) of Walker, Iowa, and four granddaughters, Justine, Alyssa, Rylee and Keirstyn, and pre-deceased by granddaughter, Nicole, as well as my four-legged Border Collie pal and devoted guardian, Black Jack.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Beale Memorial Baptist Church. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Essex Cemetery, Tappahannock. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the nearest American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

See you all upstairs someday… God Bless.

Arrangements by Marks-Bristow Funeral Home, Tappahannock, Va.