William Bryant "Bryant" Rawls Jr.

William Bryant Rawls Jr., a life-long resident of Pleasant Valley NY, passed away on December 6, 2022 at the age of 81. Bryant was born in New York City on January 16, 1941. He would spend his childhood traveling back and forth from NYC to the family farm in Pleasant Valley. The family farm, Bilmar Nurseries, named after his dad and mom, Bill and Mary, was Bryant's safe haven.
Bryant attended high school at the Andover School in Massachusetts and after graduation in 1959, he attended Brown University where he majored in Aero-Space Engineering. He graduated in 1963 and continued his graduate work at Columbia University where he focused on Production Management and Operations Research, graduating in 1967. After finishing his studies, Bryant joined the US Navy where he was a Lieutenant in the Naval Reserve from 1963-1965. After the Navy, Bryant went to work for the Norton company in Worcester Massachusetts from 1967-1982. In 1980 he would marry the love of his life, Barbara Ann Case McKeon, who pre-deceased him in 2018. Together with Barbara's two sons, Scott and Thomas Case, the family would eventually plant their roots in Pleasant Valley, working the family farm until the present day. During this time Bryant became the President and Co-founder of William B. Rawls and Sons Developers Inc.
Bryant's greatest joy in life was growing Christmas trees. He would win numerous ribbons for his trees at both the New York State Fair and the Dutchess County Fair where he was honored as the Grand Champion many times. Bryant's love of John Deere tractors, Caterpillars, Mack trucks and his classic Pontiacs would bring him a lifetime of enjoyment going to auctions and car shows. Bryant leaves behind his two stepsons, Scott Case and his wife Vanessa and Thomas Case, his brother-in-law Bill Arnold, three nephews Terry, John and Jim Arnold and his niece Jamie Bower. He was pre-deceased by both his parents and his sister Jan Arnold. Bryant also leaves behind numerous grandchildren and great-nephews and nieces.
Calling hours will be at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction on Wednesday December 14th from 4-7pm. The funeral service will be held on Thursday December 15th at 11 am at St Paul's Episcopal Church in Pleasant Valley followed by a burial at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
Please visit Bryant's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.