After 3 years, Bill Bryant finally lost his courageous battle with lung cancer. We've lost one of the best Ortho. Doctors; old neighbor; friend and Hoover High School team doctor in the world. Even continuing to be the team doctor at HHS , that man continued to press on. Watching his kids graduate from high school and college and share all their many honors and achievements kept him alive and beating the odds for such a long time.
What I'll miss about Bill? I'll miss our rivalry most of all! Mr. Auburn vs. Mrs. Alabama! We played many capers on each other on Iron Bowl Days! I remember Pat, Katie and I decorating the whole outside of their house SEVERAL times! HAHA! AND, him getting me back throwing TIDE in our swimming pool on one of those days when 'Bama lost! And, after he got sick, I would always tell Konie to whisper ROLL TIDE In his ear when he was sick so he'd perk up!
Konie kept us ,( & almost the whole city!) ,updated on Bill's progress the past 3 years every week. So many people who were praying for him---nurses/doctors/friends/church friends/neighbors/HHS kids and friends. Each time she wrote an "update", her optimism but most of all FAITH, was evident in all she wrote about Bill. It was uplifting to those who didn't know him, but for those who did (and who loves the family like I do) it was heart warming and encouraging.Of course she ended with scriptures each week at the end of the e-mail and it showed her deep rooted reliance on God during those difficult days.
The funeral service yesterday was amazing. To see those 4 kids get up there and share some of their personal memories of their dad touched every single person---I saw grown men crying alongside the ladies! Their stories of their dad so embodied who he was with them and the people he healed by surgery and loved. The loving dad who never missed a recital/football game or school function and the funny guy whom Jess said,"was always right" (we know a man like that, don't we Fry kids?! HAHA). Each one: Jessica/Jenna/Jarod/Justin brought things to our ears about their dad to share and how proud he must be as he listens now, not from the audience , but from heaven.
Rest in Peace, Bill. I will always miss you (especially during IRON BOWL week)-- I'll miss asking you medical questions (that you never tired of answering--and I still miss living across the street from you/yours. WOW we had some fun times on ROYAL FERN LANE! All those KIDS! (9 between us!). And, I must brag, I think all our kids are among the cream of the crop. We shared raising our kids much the same way---lots of discipline and love! I promise to be there for Konie and the kids and Terry is already saying he wants to take Konie (and me!) up to watch Jarod play for Navy this Fall. I love you and miss you already but whenever I want to see you all I have to do is look into the faces of your 4 beautiful and courageous children. (and please, would you say hello to Daddy for me? I miss him so much, too!)
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