William Iv

William Joel Bryan IV ("Joel") was unexpectedly taken from his loving family on January 5, 2016, at the age of 61. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he was born in Houston, Texas, on July 11, 1954, to Glenna Louise Bryan and Austin y Bryan III. He had been a resident of Nevada since 1971.

Growing up on the family ranch in Brazoria County, Texas, Joel developed a lifelong love of animals and the outdoors. He was a keen sportsman with a particular enthusiasm for camping and for horseback riding. Some of the happiest of his later years were spent breeding horses in Northern Nevada and rediscovering his passion for ranch life.

Joel was also astoundingly brilliant. He was both creative and scientifically-minded, and was an avid reader and talented painter, well-versed in music, philosophy, world religions, spirituality, and history.

A beloved father, brother, uncle, and great-uncle, Joel had a light that not even the bleakest darkness of this world could extinguish. He will live on in the hearts and memories of those who loved him, our protector and friend, our Daddy, our Joel.

Joel is survived by his two loving children, Cassandra Bryan of Las Vegas, Nevada, and William Joel Bryan VII (Daljeet Bryan) of Seattle, Washington; devoted brother, James D. Bryan (Myrna Lynn A. Bryan) of Las Vegas; and by his adoring nieces, Gwendolyn Olañeta and Natalia Olañeta (Nain Baylon), both of Las Vegas.

Memorial services are pending. Arrangements are being handled by Davis Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Joel's name to the Wounded Warrior Project.