Edward King “Sonny” Bryant, Jr.
November 4th, 1931 - January 21st, 2022
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Sonny's Obituary
Edward King “Sonny” Bryant, Jr., of Stevensville, Michigan, formerly of Wilmington, North Carolina and Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away on Friday, January 21, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Sonny was born on November 4, 1931, in Wilmington, NC. He was the second child and eldest son of 7 children to Edward King Bryant, Sr. and Alice Elise (Conkelton) Bryant. He grew up during the depression and when he became of age, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard where he served his country for three years aboard the Mendota and the Absecon. He received commendation for saving the life of a drowning crew member. His tours included the treacherous icy waters of the North Atlantic and the baby blue waters of Bermuda. It was during his military days that he met and married the love of his life, Shirley Zimmerman. On January 26, 1952, they were married in Conway, South Carolina. After his years of military service, he began his 18-year career of working for the United States government with the 664th Airborne Radar Station at the air base in Bellefontaine, Ohio. When the air base closed in the latter part of 1969, he began his career as a pipe fitter/welder, building nuclear plants, in 1970. His construction career took him and Shirley on adventures all across the United States until they settled in Stevensville Michigan. Sonny & Shirley have traveled the world and the memories they made together are endless.
Sonny was a “straight shooter” and an “old school”, no nonsense man. He was a Master Mason and he enjoyed dancing, reading, riding motorcycles and traveling the world with Shirley. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family. Sonny was a true HERO, saving the lives of 5 people in his life. He ran into a blazing house fire & broke out windows w/ his bare arms & saved 3 children, went into underground piping filled w/ Argon to save a man & retrieve a man that didn’t make it and also dove off his ship, into the ocean to save a drowning crewman.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Shirley Bryant; son, Edward “Mike” Bryant (Karen Vorheese) of Bridgman; daughter, Sonnie Bryant-Bédard (Marcel Bédard) of Grand Rapids; 2 granddaughters, Stacy Bryant (Josue Fuentes) of Baroda and Jessica Lenardson (Richard Lenardson) of Lake Twp; grandson Sébastian Bédard (Annie Beaulieu) of Montréal, Canada; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Ashton, Jalynn, Lydia, Maélie, Rowan, Airus, Avery and MANY nieces, nephews and friends.
Sonny’s family will receive family & friends from 4-8 pm on Monday, Jan. 31, with Masonic Rights at 7 pm, at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St Joseph, MI. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 1, also at the funeral home. Those wishing to join virtually may do so with the following URL, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83727630452. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to House of Compassion, 840 W. Center Street, Rochester, MN 55902. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Sonny was born on November 4, 1931, in Wilmington, NC. He was the second child and eldest son of 7 children to Edward King Bryant, Sr. and Alice Elise (Conkelton) Bryant. He grew up during the depression and when he became of age, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard where he served his country for three years aboard the Mendota and the Absecon. He received commendation for saving the life of a drowning crew member. His tours included the treacherous icy waters of the North Atlantic and the baby blue waters of Bermuda. It was during his military days that he met and married the love of his life, Shirley Zimmerman. On January 26, 1952, they were married in Conway, South Carolina. After his years of military service, he began his 18-year career of working for the United States government with the 664th Airborne Radar Station at the air base in Bellefontaine, Ohio. When the air base closed in the latter part of 1969, he began his career as a pipe fitter/welder, building nuclear plants, in 1970. His construction career took him and Shirley on adventures all across the United States until they settled in Stevensville Michigan. Sonny & Shirley have traveled the world and the memories they made together are endless.
Sonny was a “straight shooter” and an “old school”, no nonsense man. He was a Master Mason and he enjoyed dancing, reading, riding motorcycles and traveling the world with Shirley. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family. Sonny was a true HERO, saving the lives of 5 people in his life. He ran into a blazing house fire & broke out windows w/ his bare arms & saved 3 children, went into underground piping filled w/ Argon to save a man & retrieve a man that didn’t make it and also dove off his ship, into the ocean to save a drowning crewman.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Shirley Bryant; son, Edward “Mike” Bryant (Karen Vorheese) of Bridgman; daughter, Sonnie Bryant-Bédard (Marcel Bédard) of Grand Rapids; 2 granddaughters, Stacy Bryant (Josue Fuentes) of Baroda and Jessica Lenardson (Richard Lenardson) of Lake Twp; grandson Sébastian Bédard (Annie Beaulieu) of Montréal, Canada; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Ashton, Jalynn, Lydia, Maélie, Rowan, Airus, Avery and MANY nieces, nephews and friends.
Sonny’s family will receive family & friends from 4-8 pm on Monday, Jan. 31, with Masonic Rights at 7 pm, at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St Joseph, MI. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 1, also at the funeral home. Those wishing to join virtually may do so with the following URL, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83727630452. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to House of Compassion, 840 W. Center Street, Rochester, MN 55902. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
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Additional Visitation Information
Masonic Rights will take place at 7 pm.