William Austin Bryant

William Austin Bryant, 75, of Ellerbe, surrounded by his loving family, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 30, 2024.

He was born on November 14, 1949, to Otis and Annabelle Kennedy Bryant.

He graduated from Pinehurst High School and Campbell College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Austin worked for Burlington Industries in Raeford, North Carolina. He was associated with various agri-business companies, including CEVA Laboratories, Ellerbe Poultry Company, White Poultry Company, Hoke Livestock, and Systems Planning. Austin taught personal finance for 16 years at Richmond Senior High School. He served as a medic in the Army National Guard. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and master woodcarver.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Elizabeth McFayden Bryant; two sons Patrick Bryant (Tiffany) of Ellerbe and Alex Bryant (Lauren) of Cramerton; and three grandchildren, Beau, Charlotte, and Mac. 

Also surviving are two sisters, Pamela Cameron (Johnny) and Lynda Carlton (Johnny); brother-in-law, Jim McFayden (Laura); and sister-in law, Chris McFayden Klein (Jeff). He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sylvia Bryant Garner.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, PCA in Ellerbe, where he was an Elder and served as a Sunday School teacher, Trustee, and Deacon.

A service to celebrate the life of Austin Bryant will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, January 4, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, PCA Ellerbe with Rev. Stan Layton and Rev. James Watson officiating. Private interment will be held in Ellerbe at the family cemetery. The family will receive visitors prior to the service from 1:00 – 1:45 pm at the church and other times at their home.

Memorials may be made to Ellerbe First Presbyterian Church, PCA, PO Box 116, Ellerbe, NC 28338; Richmond County Hospice 1119 US 1N Rockingham, NC 28379; or Richmond Community College Foundation, “W. Austin Bryant Endowed Scholarship.” P.O. Box 1189 Hamlet, NC 28345, https://richmond-community-college-foundation.square.site/.