Willie Boston Bryant

Willie Boston Bryant, an only child, was born on April 12, 1938, in Butler, Alabama to his loving parents Willie and Marie Bryant. After a courageous battle with a serious illness, Willie transitioned peacefully in his sleep on November 4, 2024, in Frisco, TX, and is now at rest in the arms of our Heavenly Father. 

Willie received his education in the Choctaw County School System and graduated from Choctaw County Training School in 1956, where he played basketball for a championship team.  Willie accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in a creek near his hometown, Ward, Alabama. Willie was an active young man who also loved fishing and hunting. As a young adult, he took a particular interest in boxing, training and competing for a time. He enjoyed watching professional sports, especially football. His favorite teams were the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Later in life, he became an avid golfer who was quite the competitor, winning numerous awards including 1st Place in the Pastor’s Cup. Willie left his footprints on golf courses across the country.

Willie moved west to Los Angeles, California in 1962, where he met and married his beautiful wife of 60 years, Reva J. Bryant (Hill). Always hardworking, Willie found his lifelong career as a professional truck driver with the Yellow Freight Company, serving over 30 years and driving over 3 million miles. After establishing himself as a model driver, receiving numerous safety awards and achieving the company’s Million Miles Recognition, Willie retired from the Yellow Freight Company in 2007.

Willie moved his family from Los Angeles to Pomona, a suburb about 30 miles east of the city, where they became a part of a burgeoning African American community.  Willie was a respected and admired member of the community, an inspiration, father figure, and role model in his community. Willie was a 32nd Degree Prince Hall Mason, and Past Master (Lodge President) of the Thomas Waller Lodge #49, F. & A. M. Willie was a loving, loyal, protective, and supportive son, husband, father, uncle, and friend. He loved to play cards, tell long stories, and practice playing his beloved saxophone. Willie developed a reputation as a problem solver who never backed away from a challenge. 

Relocating first to the Inland Empire city of Rialto and ultimately to Frisco, TX, Willie carried these same interests, skills, and qualities to each community in which he lived. In Frisco, he built new relationships around golf, and in retirement, he centered his activities around his faith and church family. At First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park, he attended Sunday School regularly, became a member of the Men’s Day Committee, and was a member of the Men’s Usher Board, ultimately serving as its President for three years.

Affectionately nicknamed "Peter," "Chief," and "The Professor" over the course of his life, Willie Boston Bryant will be mourned and remembered fondly by family and many friends in every community, workplace, social space, and faith community of which he has been a part.

Willie was a cherished family and community member, leaving a legacy of love, kindness, and strength that will live on in the hearts of those who knew him forever. Willie was preceded in death by his parents, uncles, and aunts and is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Reva J. Bryant; their daughter, Nosizwe Chimurenga-Kayise (Mandla) (born Sherrie Bryant) as well as his elder children: siblings Barbara Thomas (Bennie) and Michael Chaney (Zaneta); his sisters-in-law - Vera Hill Anthony, Bernice Hill Morgan, Zotean Hill Terry, and Rebecca Hill Loving; and a host of bonus children, other relatives, and friends.

All are welcome to click the link below to join us via live stream on this memorial page at

11:00 AM on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2024, as we celebrate the life of our beloved Willie. 

Celebration of Life Service for Willie Boston Bryant

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