Coach Bill Bryant

Coach Bill Bryant was born on August 28, 1939, to Colonel Garlen Bryant and Mary Lynn. He grew up in Temple, Texas, with his beloved Grandma Bryant. At Temple High School, he met and fell in love with Joyce Faye Farley. The high school sweethearts were married and shared a lifetime of romance and partnership. The two loved to dance and would “waltz across Texas” for the rest of their lives together.

Coach Bryant dedicated his life to football and to the young people he mentored. He coached across the state of Texas, from Houston to the Panhandle, leaving a lasting impact everywhere he went. Over the course of his career, he mentored thousands of players and fellow coaches and was deeply loved and respected by them all. He coached his own sons Bill Boy and Blake as All-State players who set national passing records at Dublin High School where his daughter Johni also captained the cheer team. He proudly served on the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) board and was inducted into the THSCA Hall of Honor.

Coach Bryant’s legacy lives on through his favorite team, his family. He is survived by his beloved wife with whom he shared 71 years of dating and marriage, and their children: Bill Boy Bryant and his wife Loan; Johni Thiebaud and her husband, Steven, and Blake Bryant and his wife, Holly. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Tobi Guillory, Traci Thiebaud, Bill Bryant, Bayli Wright, Taylor Simpson, Annie Bryant, step-grandchildren: Samantha Flaig and Sam Strother as well as seven great grandchildren, all of whom brought him immense pride and joy.

His family will remember him when they see stadium lights on a Friday night, or pass a good fishing spot, when they find a lucky penny, eat a sweet treat, or dance to country western music.

Honoring Coach Bryant’s wishes, there will be no public funeral service. The family will hold a private memorial. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial scholarship in his honor at First United Bank under the name “Bryant Family Scholarship.”

Coach Bryant will be remembered for his dedication, leadership, and the countless lives he influenced both on and off the field.