William A. Bryan

Nov. 24, 1933 - Oct. 5, 2010 William A. (Bill) Bryan, long time valley resident and business man as well as a pioneer in the off-road racing and four wheel drive clubs passed away on Tues., October 5, 2010. Bill first came to the Coachella Valley in the mid 1940's with his parents, who eventually settled in Corona, Calif. where he attended high school and graduated in 1952. He entered the United States Coast Guard on the hopes of making it a career. In February of 1954, while on leave he met his future wife of 56 years, Carol Ann Stukey. They married on August 21, 1954. After suffering a career ending back injury, Bill was honorably discharged for medical reasons and returned to the Coachella Valley to work with his father in the burgeoning air conditioning and refrigeration business, Bryan Refrigeration. Bill was active with the Indio Volunteer Fire Department which led him to his first encounter with "jeeping" in old military style, war surplus jeeps. He and several of his fireman friends started the first Indio Jeep Club, The Sareea Al Jamel 4 W.D. Club. This led to his lifelong involvement with off-roading and organizing some of the very first off-road races. His contribution to the off-road racing sport was recognized in 2007 with his induction into the Off-Road Motor Sports Hall of Fame. Bill left the air conditioning business after his father's death and continued with his own business, A-1 Rents until he retired in 2004. As a young businessman in the 1960's, Bill was active with the Indio Jaycees, Indio Chamber of Commerce, the Indio Lions Club and a lifetime member of the Indio Elks Lodge. He was a City of Indio Planning Commissioner for 12 years, serving as the chairman, twice. During his life, he and his wife Carol have traveled the globe making many friends along the way. His encyclopedic memory has always kept his family and friends riveted when he shared his adventures and stories. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Carol; daughter Debbie Keefe (John) of Indio; daughter Barbara Carisalez (Daniel) of Texas; son David Bryan of Indio; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Sat., October 9, 2010, at the Bryan/Keefe residence in Indio. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to your favorite charity.