H.R. No. 40
R E S O L U T I O N
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