TITLE: In memory of William T. Bryant, Jr., of Arlington.

SUMMARY: In memory of William T. Bryant, Jr., of Arlington.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends of esteemed educator William T. Bryant, Jr., of Arlington, who passed away on November 18, 2011, at the age of 78; and WHEREAS, Bill Bryant was born on August 27, 1933, in Graham, the only child of William Truman and Margaret Slay Bryant; after graduating in 1952 from Graham High School, where he played the trumpet in the school band, he earned a business education degree from North Texas State University in 1956; and WHEREAS, Mr. Bryant served his country in the United States Army for two years and spent an additional two years in the Army Reserve; while working at General Dynamics, he decided to become a teacher and began attending night school at Texas Wesleyan University in order to earn a master's degree in education; and WHEREAS, Bill Bryant embarked on his new career in the early 1960s, when he accepted a position at George C. Clarke Elementary School in Fort Worth; in 1966, while moonlighting as an adult basic education instructor, he met Margie Ferguson, another Fort Worth teacher, and the two were married on June 30, 1968; two years later they moved to Arlington, where Mr. Bryant joined the staff of Hill Elementary as a teacher and as an assistant principal; promoted to principal and transferred to Speer Elementary in 1971, he remained at that campus for 11 years; he subsequently served as principal of Swift Elementary until his retirement in 1992; and WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Mr. Bryant enjoyed collaborating with teachers and parents to ensure that his school's students received the best possible education, and in 1993, he and his wife were recognized by the Arlington Independent School District with the naming of an elementary school in their honor; and WHEREAS, A longtime congregant and deacon at First Baptist Church Arlington, Mr. Bryant was also a member of the Arlington Retired School Employees Association and a master Mason in the Young County lodge for more than half a century; his concern for others, his sense of humor, and his honesty and trustworthiness won him a host of friends and admirers; and WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his profession, Bill Bryant made a positive impact on countless lives, and he will forever be held close in the hearts of those fortunate to have shared in his love and friendship; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of William T. Bryant, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to his wife of 43 years, Margie Ferguson Bryant, and to his other relatives and many friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of William T. Bryant, Jr. Patrick Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 40 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on February 18, 2013. Chief Clerk of the House