William ‘Louie’ Bryant

William “Louie” Bryant, 79, of Anna, died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.  

He was born on Feb. 17, 1939, in Wolf Lake, the son of Carl “Pee Wee” and Nola Harris Bryant. 

He married Tina Lazenby on Oct. 19, 1985, in Anna.

He is survived by his wife, Tina Bryant of Anna; his mother, Nola Wenger of Anna; three sons, Mitchell Bryant, Michael Bryant and Anthony Bryant; two daughters, Sylvia Needham and Melissa Winchester; several grandchildren; two brothers, David Bryant of Jonesboro and Carl “Junior” Bryant of Cape Girardeau; two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Dew of Anna and Pamela (Will) Bracken of Anna; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Bryant.

Mr. Bryant was a member of the Apostolic Lighthouse Church in Cobden. He loved God and was a faithful supporter to his church.  

He served in the U.S. Army. He worked for twenty four years at Caterpillar in Joliet as a machinist.  After his retirement, he drove a school bus for several years. 

Anyone who knew him knew he loved life and so many things in life. He loved his wife of almost 33 years. Together they enjoyed many hobbies and activities together. 

He loved pretty flowers, animals and kids. He had various hobbies and was a great photographer and musician. He could pick up a guitar and play a song and then switch to the harmonica. He had a great love for music. 

He was known for his love of baking and cooking and would often bake items for the bake sale for the Jonesboro Library. He was an avid reader and great supporter of the Jonesboro Library.

So many people saw Louie in different walks of life but he was happy in each. For the last nine years, he was part of a group of folks that brought much happiness to him. He loved them all and was a faithful friend. He was a wonderful man full of love for others.

Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, with Pastor Rex Goforth and the Rev. Jim Galbraith officiating.  

Interment was in the Anna City Cemetery. Graveside military rites were conducted by Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna and the Illinois Army National Guard funeral honors team of Marion. 

Memorials can be made to the Apostolic Lighthouse Church in Cobden. 

To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna was in charge of arrangements.