Joseph Wilson Bryant

Born to Simon and Flossie Bryant, Joe was among the first graduating class at the new Ragsdale High School and worked in the family-owned B&S Grocery and Service Station in the Sedgefield community before launching a long and distinguished career in the Guilford County Fire Service.

Following in his father’s footsteps with a passion for fire service, Bryant served in numerous roles with the Guilford County Fire Service for more than four decades, including fire marshal and deputy director of emergency services. He was instrumental in the development of the network of fire stations serving residents throughout Guilford County.

He also developed policies and programs to protect residents and firefighters and created a search and rescue team. With extensive knowledge and experience, he was a go-to source for fire chiefs and others seeking guidance and input. He retired as deputy director of emergency services in 2007 after 41 years serving Guilford County. The county honored him and his service by also retiring his longtime radio designation, Car 2.

His contributions to the fire service extend well beyond Guilford County. Bryant was a lifetime member of both the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs and the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, where he served as president in 1992. He earned a collection of awards for his service, but you’d never hear him brag about his accomplishments.

Bryant also was a sworn deputy with the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office and served in the U.S. Army National Guard. He was active in numerous civic and fraternal organizations for more than 40 years, including the Gate City Lodge Masons and the Scottish Rite of Greensboro.

He also was a proud member of the Oasis Shriners and created an annual softball tournament in Guilford County to raise money to support the Shriners’ mission.

He was a frugal man but had a generous spirit of giving to others and lived to dote on his wife and two daughters. You’d often see him wearing a ball cap from his extensive collection representing fire stations and places he’d visited. His quick-witted one-liners would make you chuckle.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Simon and Flossie Bryant; brother, Grady Bryant; nephew, Matt Bryant and uncle, Calvin Albert Stanley (Uncle Tab).

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Elsie; daughter and son-in-law Deborah and Steve Apple of Gibsonville; daughter Dawn Bryant of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, and nephew James Bryant of Greensboro.

Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hanes Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Sedgefield Chapel, followed by the burial at Lakeview Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Greenville, South Carolina.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhsedgefield.com.