William “Bill” Bryant, age 90, of Miles City passed away on Monday, August 17, 2015 in Miles City.
Bill was born in Glasgow, Montana on August 11, 1925 to Henry and Eunice Bryant. They lived on Gilbert Creek, near Haxby Point until moving to Kinsey when Bill was 6 where he attended country school which was a 4 mile walk. In 1939, Bill trailed cattle with his dad to Sweeny Creek, near Rosebud. They had bought the Swartz place (old CBC place). Finishing school in Rosebud, he continued ranching with his father and working for other ranchers. In the fall of 1944, Bill and his brothers walked to a neighbor’s card party where he met the new girl in the neighborhood who became his wife 4 years later. Bill married Bethel Smith in Miles City on June 8, 1947. To this union, three children were born. In 1950, Bill went to work for Jack Elmore who was manager of the 71 ranch owned by HL Hunt. In 1951 they moved to Tongue River on the Ball Ranch, which was also owned by HL Hunt. Jack was manager there too. After 9 years, Bill became manager until 1964 when he left the Ball ranch and went into partnership with R.D. Shipley on the Teepe Ranch. He worked for Bill Nefsey at Sonnett and also on the SH Ranch and the ranch north of Terry in later years, coming back to Miles City in October of 1968. He worked in Miles City for Gierke Distributing until leasing the 10 Spot Café in 1971. Keeping the customers entertained for the next 10 years. They moved to Terry in 1982 to buy the Kempton Hotel and apartments, coming back to Miles City in 1988. Bill bought the Fred Hall place from Wallace Lockie 2 miles out of town where he had sheep. In 1994 they traded that acreage for the apartment house on 8th Street. Due to his health, that was sold September 2000 and they moved to a new duplex on N. Sutton.
Bill hauled cattle and sheep from 1980 to 1990 with his own trailer and pulled trailers from the factory in Iowa during this time too. He was night guard at L.P. Anderson from 1990 – 1995. He was on the Tongue River Water Board for three years.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his three children: Linda, Stanley and Darin; his brothers: Cliff and Ernie Bryant and a brother-in-law Billy Joe Smith. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, his brother Ray, Sisters-in-law Donna and Helen all of Canada; brothers-in-law Butch (Cathe) Smith of Miles City, MT, Glenn (Cecelia) Smith of Roscoe, MT; Sisters-in-law Merna (Robert) Gess of Billings, MT, Jiniece Kaminski of Miles City, MT; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Per Bill’s request, cremation has taken place and no services are planned. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Kathi Rooney Pfeifle says
Bethel, I am so sorry for your loss. I always remember Bill with a smile on his face. He was always happy. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tanna Petetson Aye says
Bethel and family,
I am sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Destiny Carlson says
Bethel, I will cherish all of our conversations. My thoughts and prayers to you.
Love,
Destiny
Carol Larsen says
May God be with you and your family Bethel, as we know Bill is loved by our God.
Bill always made us laugh with all his jokes. Love Carol
Martha Crandall says
Bethel, You took such good care of Bill. So sorry for your loss.
Virgil & Waneeta (Brockel) Farris says
Bethel, I have fond memories of working with Bill on the Ball Ranch. And many of those memories include you and your cooking. No one went hungry as you were a good cook
and there was always plenty to eat. I treasure all those memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Virgil Farris-Forsyth
Diane Grutkowski says
Bill was one of the most generous and kind men I have ever known. He will be missed. May God Bless you Bethel.
Katy Harbaugh says
Bethal – My thoughts are with you.
Richard & Linda Meidinger says
So sorry for you loss of Bill. We remember years ago when they had the café and he was such a dear person. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace. Linda and Richard
Gracie Ann Waples Hill says
Bethal, sorry for your loss. I remember meeting Bill and you when you were the Hunt place on the Tongue River and I was just a kid. Thoughts and prayers and love. I am sure the reunion in heaven with his children and family has been outstanding…..
Dale & Cindy Berg says
Bethal,
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
C. Grimes says
My sincere condolences to the family and friends. May the God who gives comfort strengthen you during this difficult time, Psalms 83:18.
Virginia & Duane Strohmayer says
Bethal and Family:
Sorry to hear about Bill. May beautiful memories sustain you during this time of sorrow.
Virginia & Duane
Linda Seleg Wyse says
Sally, I’m so sorry to here of Bill’s passing, I have very fond memories of him, living with you, the Ten spot, he was a great guy. He will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Pam Moths Nisley says
Dear Bethel, Growing up I always heard of Bill and Bethel Bryant! I remember my parents ( Howard and Lou) taking us to the 10 Spot and the fun memories of seeing you both converse with all your patrons. I am praying for comfort for you Bethel – the losses you have endured are monumental, and yet I hope through all of this you will understand all the more how very much Jesus loves you! His love never changes. I care and am lifting you up in prayer~
Dean Holmes says
what a long and good life…. please accept my condolences.
Rob Shipley says
Bethel, You do know that the summers and years at the Tepee Ranch and the Shy place with you and Bill were truly, the very greatest years of my life. Bobbie Stoebe absolutely adored both of you as well. Ship and Mary were so very proud of the ways, many ways, you two cared for me in those summers. The same as when Bob and Laverne Pauley were my second parents in the late ’50s. Bethel, you know where I am. You do know my telephone number. 234-2477. I can and will do anything here on the small planet for you…………..no matter how big or how small.
As Christians we all *know* Bill’s graduation at 90 is only that; graduation to Heaven and eternity, which I am understanding now with a great deal of internet study is a very, very, very, very, very, long, long time.
Please call me as does Laverne, anytime you wish.
I will love you and Bill forever……….Robbie
Joe and Bev Murnion says
We are so sorry for your loss Bill was one of the finest men we have ever known I will never forget the time he and I walked up main street with him in his crazy man garb He will long be remembered Our deepest sympathy
Wanda Gresens says
Condolences to you. I am the youngest but still remember the good times at the ranch . My folks thought a lot of Bill. And I remember how fun he made a meal at the 10th spot . May he rest in pease and play a few card games with my mom and dad .