Will Bryant's Obituary
Will Bryant, 78, author, illustrator, artist extraordinaire, as well as builder of homes and furniture and musical instruments, died this week at the home of his daughter, Lee, in Healdsburg, CA. Lee, an artist in her own right, had been Will's companion since he became ill. Long time resident of the San Juan Islands, Will built a home for his family in Friday Harbor,WA in 1979 with the help of his son Patrick, of Friday Harbor. Will left the island in 1999. His home was a testimony to his artistic abilities to craft or create almost anything his mind could imagine. Most recently, he has left a trail of faux art across the country: many people's homes boast his "trompe l'oeil" antique doors, painted so realistically as to trick the eye.
Will was born in Tucson, AZ in 1923. He attended 40 schools across the West and graduated from the University of Salt Lake with a degree in English. He drew on his own background and extensive research for the settings of his four novels. He also illustrated for the Reader's Digest, practiced the lost art of wood engraving and even wrote one children's book. He raised four children in New York State, moving West again in 1976. After several years in California, he settled in Friday Harbor. Since his departure from the San Juans, he has revisited many places and friends from his youth, particularly in Arizona. He also followed his dream to go sailing in the Sea of Cortez and snorkeling in Hawaii.
Will was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2000 and beat all predictions with his valiant will to live. While under various treatments, he traveled with his son Bill, from California to Oregon to see the work in progress on his 1949 Riley, an English touring car he had redone once in the early 60s. He also made two trips to the Big Island of Hawaii to visit his daughter, Pamela, leaving behind several great faux doors. It was there that he discovered the little grass shack in Kealakekua, Hawaii, words to a song he had so often heard in the war years. He made a final trip to Arizona in February and among many friends, he did see his former wife, Nancy.
Will was a naval aviator, flying PBYs in the Pacific arena in World War II. His love of flying led him to smaller single engine planes and he was frequently observed dipping his wing to friends on San Juan and beyond.
His four children were with him for Easter and his brother, Jack, arrived from Vermont to spend the last days together with him. Letters and emails, phone calls and personal visits have accompanied Will on this final odyssey, for which his family is sincerely grateful. The family plans a celebration of life memorial to be held in California in the near future, at which time his ashes will be scattered in the great Pacific Ocean, a suitable resting places for an old navy man who frequently referred to himself as the Old Gringo.
Adios Old Gringo, you are greatly missed and well remembered.
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