Charles W. Bryson Sr.

1927 - 2017

Charles W. "Squirley" Bryson Sr., 90, of Marcelline, died at 5:55 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2017, at his home.

Born Feb. 21, 1927, in Denver, Ill., Charles was a son of Carroll William and Marie M. Miller Bryson. He married Willia I. Cookson on March 5, 1948, in Quincy. She survives.

Squirley served his country in the Army during World War II in Company B 703rd Military Police Battalion. His company received the Meritorious Unit Award. Squirley was a member and past commander of Bear Creek American Legion Post No. 823. He also served as past secretary of Marcelline Masonic Lodge No. 114 and was a former member of Quincy Consistory and Ansar Shrine Temple of Springfield. He enjoyed dancing, trout fishing, working on cars and going to stock car races, and loved listening to country music. Squirley had the privilege of going on the Honor Flight with his son Charlie in 2013.

He was employed at the Electric Wheel Division of Firestone in the maintenance repair department for 35 years until his retirement in 1985. He, along with his sons, also ran the Street Rod Body Shop in Marcelline. Squirley and his wife, Willia, also owned and operated Bryson's Bar in Marcelline for nine years.

The family would like to thank the staff of Good Samaritan Home.

Survivors include his wife, Willia; two sons, Charles W. "Charlie" Bryson Jr. (Jane "Janie") of Marcelline and Michael B. "Mike" Bryson (Mary E.) of Quincy; a daughter-in-law, Sherry Egan Bryson of Mendon; five grandchildren, Charles "Trey" Bryson III (Angie) of Ursa, Tammy Conboy of Hannibal, Mo., Tricia Ann Bryson of Mendon, Dr. Christopher D. Bryson (Carrie) of Chicago and Jarrett Bryson of Quincy; and six great-grandchildren, Allison, Emma, Luke, Kinzie, Aubrey and Katey. Also surviving are four sisters-in-law, Wilma Cannon of Quincy, Mary Cookson of Quincy, Lucille Cookson of Quincy and Janie Cookson of Ursa; and several loving nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mr. Bryson was preceded in death by his parents; one son, James Douglas "Doug" Bryson; a grandson, Craig Lee Bryson; and a sister, Seretta Daniels.

SERVICES: 10:30 a.m Wednesday, April 26, at Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home in Quincy, with Pastor Steve Disseler conducting. Burial will be in New Providence Cemetery with military honors by Bear Creek American Legion Post No. 823 and the Illinois National Guard Funeral Honors Detail.

VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, and Wednesday morning before services at the funeral home.

MEMORIALS: Bear Creek American Legion Post No. 823.

ARRANGEMENTS: Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home, Quincy.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.