WILLIAM F. BRYSON, 1LT, USMC
William Bryson '29
Lucky Bag
From the 1929 Lucky Bag:
WILLIAM FRANKLIN BRYSON
Pana, Illinois
"Bill" "Willie"
WILLIE came to the Navy from Pana Township—"the second largest hot house in the whole world"; but this luxuriant rose though early transplanted has flourished in the harsher air until today he can carry a rifle with the very best. Though classic of profile and aristocratic of demeanor Willie is not prey for all the anxious girls who "want to meet that man"—for as a fledgling Plebe he fell under the spell of his Psyche. His mail comes as regularly as any morning paper and dark gloom settles on his brow when for some reason Uncle Sam's men in gray fail to produce.
He prefers his seat on the warm radiator, and hence has not starred as an athlete though always able to hold his own. Academically he has shown that even Juice cannot hold down a good man, and the lingo of the Spaniard flows from his lips as fluently as from those of any matador of old Madrid. Willie takes into the Marines our best wishes for future generalship. His unfailing smile and endless witticisms, coupled with his ability to overcome obstacles when it is necessary, will carry him far.
Bowling 2, 1. Class Football 4. Class Baseball 2, 1. Sub-Squad 4, 3, 2. 2 P.O.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN BRYSON
Pana, Illinois
"Bill" "Willie"
WILLIE came to the Navy from Pana Township—"the second largest hot house in the whole world"; but this luxuriant rose though early transplanted has flourished in the harsher air until today he can carry a rifle with the very best. Though classic of profile and aristocratic of demeanor Willie is not prey for all the anxious girls who "want to meet that man"—for as a fledgling Plebe he fell under the spell of his Psyche. His mail comes as regularly as any morning paper and dark gloom settles on his brow when for some reason Uncle Sam's men in gray fail to produce.
He prefers his seat on the warm radiator, and hence has not starred as an athlete though always able to hold his own. Academically he has shown that even Juice cannot hold down a good man, and the lingo of the Spaniard flows from his lips as fluently as from those of any matador of old Madrid. Willie takes into the Marines our best wishes for future generalship. His unfailing smile and endless witticisms, coupled with his ability to overcome obstacles when it is necessary, will carry him far.
Bowling 2, 1. Class Football 4. Class Baseball 2, 1. Sub-Squad 4, 3, 2. 2 P.O.
Loss
William "died suddenly" on April 21, 1934, in the hospital in Key West, Florida.
From a Bryson family researcher via email on June 10, 2019: "William was in the hospital at Key West for a tonsillectomy. He had left the hospital heading home when complications - pneumonia - developed. What I have as official cause of death is Adrenalitis contributory cerebral edema."
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
In April, 1930, he was a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps stationed at the Navy Yard at Philadelphia. He was married to the former Mildred T. Coleman. They later divorced.
In 1910 Bowling Green, Illinois, his father Charles was a farmer.
He is buried in Illinois and was survived by his wife, mother, four sisters, and three brothers. One of his younger brothers who was killed in action in Italy as an Army 1st Lt.
Memorial Hall Error
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