William B. Bryan

William B. Bryan VIRGINIA BEACH - William B. "Oscar" Bryan died Feb. 26, 2009, at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. Oscar was born in Hopewell, Va., Dec. 25, 1917. His parents, Paul and Hosie Bryan, deceased, moved to Norfolk where he grew up and lived until he moved with his wife and family to Virginia Beach in 1962. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Nellie C. Bryan; two sons, Allan Bryan and wife Joan of Virginia Beach and James Bryan of Norfolk; a grandson, Randy Bryan and wife Rae of New Orleans; a granddaughter, Lara Tedrow and husband Kevin of Norfolk; and five great-grandchildren, Katie and Nate Tedrow of Norfolk, Lucy, Virginia and Margaret Ann Bryan of New Orleans; three nieces, Barbara Minero of Cary, N.C., Kathy Adkins and Lisa Bryan of Virginia Beach; and a nephew, Kenneth Duke of St. Leonards, Md. He was predeceased by a son, William Earl Bryan; a brother, H. H. Bryan; and sisters, Margaret Duke and Mildred Jones. Educated in the public school system, Oscar attended Willard Elementary, Ruffner Junior High School and Maury High School, where he was a member of the boxing and wrestling teams, winning many awards and developing a lifelong interest in all sports. In 1947, Oscar formed Bryan Electric Co. Inc. with his partner and brother, H. H. Bryan. That business is still operated today by his son, Allan. After 60 years, it is a landmark in Norfolk today. His other interests included developing properties, both residential and commercial, in Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. In 1968 the Governor of Virginia appointed Oscar to the Virginia Athletic Commission, a post he held until 2004 traveling to many countries to serve as an official at championship boxing events. He also judged the nationally televised boxing shows sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon and the Gillette Company for many years. Oscar also operated a gym for many years, which he opened in 1947 in downtown Norfolk. World champion boxers on tour trained there, and service men were welcome to use the facility. The gym was also popular with locals who liked to meet and spar with the champions. Oscar's interest and participation in showing and training saddlebred horses began in 1944. His mentors were Ben Willis and Oscar Smith, two of the area's prominent business men and horse enthusiasts. His first barn was located on property now known as Carolanne Farms, then a rural area. Horses were stabled there with a show ring for training and showing horses. He began attending two of the largest horse shows in the country, The Lexington Junior League and the Kentucky State Championship show. The first show he attended was in 1948, and the last was in 2000. The National Horseman Magazine honored him recently for his participation and dedication to the American saddle- bred horse and for his showmanship in the horse ring and his judging abilities. Oscar was also an avid boatsman and fisherman. Oscar was a former member of The United States Boxing Association, The International Boxing Federation, The National Horse Show Association, The Norfolk Sports Club, The Charles Consolvo Chapter of Saints & Sinners, The Khedive Masonic Lodge, The State of Virginia Athletic commission, on which he served for 15 years - he was appointed by the Governor of Virginia. Visitation with the family will be held at H. D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. and a memorial celebration will be held Monday at 4 p.m. in Spring Branch Community Church, 1500 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach. A reception will follow immediately in the Reception Hall at the church. Burial will be private. Condolences may be sent to Nellie_brvanelectric.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 5700 Cleveland St., Virginia Beach, VA 23462, or The Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in memory of a well-loved man who lived everyday to its fullest. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, is handling arrangements.