William Edward Bryan Wilson

While still in love with life, the loved and loving son, brother, friend died where manhood’s morning almost touches noon. Now, we must do what he promised to do for us. William Edward Bryan Wilson, age 20, died in a tragic accident on March 22, 2024. Bryan was a 2021 graduate of Sullivan South High School, where he played soccer from 2017-2021. Bryan loved everything about playing soccer, spending many afternoons practicing alone at Warrior’s Path. He earned an Associate of Arts in history from Northeast State Community College, where he graduated with honors in 2023. He was working toward earning a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice at East Tennessee State University. Bryan had a kind, gentle spirit and was still a child at heart.  He was a loving son to his parents and a treasured brother to his two sisters, Rebecca and Anna. Bryan was a brand-new uncle to Henry Jackson Beach, and a very loyal friend to all who knew him.

Bryan is survived by his parents, William Renwick Wilson (Nancy Forrester) and Jane Bryan Honeycutt (Jeff Honeycutt); two sisters, Anna Laurel Van Balen of Las Cruces, New Mexico and Rebecca Van Balen Beach (Nick) of Hendersonville, Tennessee; five step brothers, Christopher Morgan Honeycutt (Jamie), Simon Dylan Honeycutt (Katie), Tommy Forrester (Erin) of Marion, Virginia, Michael Forrester, JonBill Forrester (Eric Swecker); three uncles, Robert Wilson (Sharon) of Nashville, Jeff Wilson (Lynn) of Buffalo, NY, and Malcolm Wright Bryan IV (Cathy) of Roanoke, Virginia; one aunt, Carol Dundon of Gettysburg, PA; one nephew, Henry Jackson Beach, and numerous cousins. 

Bryan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Malcolm Wright Bryan III, Gwendolyn Moir Bryan, Renwick Wilson, and Marie Wilson as well as uncles John Moir Bryan and Dan Dundon, and aunt, Gwendolyn Breckinridge Bryan. Bryan's loving, generous, courageous spirit continues to touch lives. It was his desire that when he passed on, his organs be donated to save the lives of others. 

One last thought about our Bryan: “The bullet that kills us today goes into the death of centuries and generations, killing life which didn’t come to exist yet.” The first to fall are those who are left to mourn the death of a twenty-year-old. We will love you Bryan for long as we live.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. with Pastor Kenneth Calvert officiating.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Rock Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Christopher Morgan Honeycutt, Simon Dylan Honeycutt, Nicholas Dean Beach, Robert Smith Wilson, Robert William Wilson, John Flaugher.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northeast State Bryan Wilson Memorial Scholarship fund.