Obituary:  Wilson Bryan, December 2, 2009, Robert Lee, Coke County, TX 

Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines
January 2010

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The Observer/Enterprise, Robert Lee, Coke County, TX - March 19, 2004

BRYAN

Wilson Bryan, life-long resident of Robert Lee, went to be with his Lord on December 2, 
2009, two weeks after his 97th birthday.  He was born to Frank and Birdie Bryan on 
November 16, 1912, in Hawkins, Texas.  At the age of 7, Wilson, along with his parents 
and younger brother, Frank Dean, rode the train to Bronte and then the mail wagon to 
Robert Lee.  The Bryan family was actively engaged in farming and became well-known for 
their Duroc hogs.

Wilson married Ruby Dodson in 1933.  They had four children - Thelma Jo, Cynthia Ann, 
Terry Frank and Richard.  At this time, Wilson and his dad started in the sand and gravel 
business in which he continued with his sons, Terry and Richard.  This was on the home 
place, which is now under Lake Spence.

	
Wilson was especially proud to have bee on the original Robert Lee Steer football team, 
where he helped choose the school colors and mascot.  Recently, Wilson was proud to be 
honored at the 80th anniversary of the Robert Lee Steer team and escorted onto the field 
by his granddaughter Molly and his great-great-granddaughter, Kiara, who are 4th and 5th 
generation RLISD students.
 
Wilson had many accomplishments and honors in his life.  He enjoyed telling the story of 
traveling to Houston in 1946 with Mr. Bryan Gartman to purchase two pre-fabricated Army 
barns which became the Livestock Show Barns for Coke County for many years.  Wilson served 
on the Coke County Livestock Association board and served as secretary.

In 1956, Wilson was serving as president of the Robert Lee School Board when the current 
school was dedicated.  He also served as Mayor of Robert Lee from 1968 - 1972 and again 
from 1986 - 1990.  During his term as mayor, he built the Mini-Park by City Hall, which 
was eventually given his name.  He was given the Citizen of the Year award by the Robert 
Lee - Silver Lions Club in 1979.  In 2002, Wilson was awarded the prestigious Community 
Builders Award for “Distinguished Service and Personal Contributions to the Community of 
Robert Lee” by Hayrick Masonic Lodge 696 and Grand Lodge of Texas.
 
Mr. Bryan was a man who made things better, wherever he was.  He designed and built the 
Mountain Creek Amphitheater in Robert Lee where “Old Coke County, Home of the Rabbit 
Twisters” was presented annually for twenty years.  Most recently, Wilson and Lucile, 
their children, and others were responsible for lighting up Coke County at Bryans’ Barn 
every December for almost twenty years.  It was an annual pilgrimage for many families, 
and sometimes a nightly one for local families!  Many thousands of people enjoyed the 
6 - acre display of Christmas Lights on Mess Box Creek.

Wilson was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Ruby, his daughters Ann Martin 
and Thelma Jo Hinnard and by his wife, Lucile Dean Bryan.

He will be greatly missed by his brother, Frank Bryan; his children, Terry Bryan, Richard 
Bryan, Della “Kitten” Dean Plagens, Jerry Dean, Tony Dean, their spouses;  and a host of 
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and many friends.
 
A celebration of his life was held Saturday, December 5 at the Robert Lee Methodist Church.  
Arrangements were by Shaffer Funeral Home.

Permission granted by The Observer/Enterprise for publication
in the Coke County TXGenWeb and the Coke County Archives of the USGenWeb.