Billy Eugene Bryant, 85, of Foster, Oregon passed away Wednesday. He was born in Seymour, Missouri to James Alvin and Rena (Cardwell) Bryant.

Billy’s family moved to Sultan, Washington where he graduated from Sultan High School and, later, moved to Lebam, Washington.

He served in the United States Army from February 1952 until February 1954 and was stationed in Germany.

Billy met his wife, Louise, in November 1954, and they married in March of 1955. They had three children; James, Janice who died at birth, and Diana. The family moved to Oregon in 1956.

He worked for Georgia Pacific Paper Mill in Toledo for 33 years. He was a life member of the Newport Masonic Lodge #85, Knights Templar of Oregon, Cryptic Masons of Oregon Royal Arch Masons of Oregon, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 2105, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Yaquina Bay Chapter #142.

Billy enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening with his grandchildren.

In the winters after retiring, Billy and his wife traveled to Indio, California where they enjoyed playing shuffleboard in the District 5 League, as well as other activities in the park until he became ill with dementia. He was in a private adult assisted care home from May of 2014. The care home owners were his neighbors for many years; Loren and Alma Hilton. His caregiver was Gretchen Sanders who sat with him in our home a few times. Her three-year-old daughter thought “Papa” was hers to take care of. He had excellent care.

Billy is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children James Bryant and his wife, Jaunita, Diana and her husband, Rich Edwards; mother, age 102, Rena Bryant; brothers Jimmy, Doyle, Jerry, Lyle, Tom, and David; sisters Wilma and Joyce; grandchildren Adam Marsh, Isaiah Ward, and Joesph and Matthew Edwards; and great grandchildren Lincoln and Claire Marsh and Sophia Ward.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Bryant; brother Danny; and his baby daughter, Janice.

Viewing will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 5, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel in Sweet Home, Oregon. Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday, October 7, at Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond, Washington. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo, Washington.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.