Robert Willis Bryner

Affectionately known as "Pap-Pap" to his family and many friends. Robert W. "Bob" Bryner was born October 14, 1903 in a tent at Yellow Creek, West Virginia in Calhoun County, near Grantsville, the 7th of 8 children born to James Willis & Theodocia Rosella Dickson Bryner. He passed away in his home on February 8, 2008. The family moved to Pennsylvania in 1906, settling near Prosperity. Here his mother died of measles and pneumonia on New Years Day, 1910. His father then married Elizabeth, the sister of Theodocia. On November 14, 1925, he married Romaine Fay Emerick, the daughter of Henry and Nancy Dixon Emerick, in the parsonage of the Avery Methodist Church. They were both 22 years of age. Their children are Dolores Fay Bryner Goss of California and Robert C. "Bob" Bryner of Washington. Bob attended one room schools for his entire education. He attended Lindley School until it closed for lack of students and completed his schooling at Dickerson School. The names of his teachers represent a historical look back at the education system. At Lindley school the teachers were Irene Buffington, Nelly Sanders and George J. Woodburn. At Dickerson the teachers were Bessie Breese, Jessie Cooper, George J. Woodburn and Alice (Petty) Cracraft. Some years he rode to Dickerson School in the original school transportation: a two horse surrey operated by Mr. Mont Auld. When the surrey was not available, the children were paid $25 a year to walk to the school. When the weather was really bad, they coated their shoes with sheep tallow and walked. Bob chose the oil fields of PA for his life�s work. In 1919 he became a "roustabout", in 1925 he was promoted to "pumper" then to "driller" and supervisor. His main employers were Ed Tagg Oil, Cameron & McCloy Oil and Grayson Oil Co. He was especially proud of the fact that he worked for Grayson Oil Co. for 28 years and never missed a single day of work. Both Bob and his wife Romaine were born again in July of 1929 at the Bentleyville Campmeeting, and he was a "Consistent Christian" all of his life, serving The Lord not only through his church but also as a long-standing member of Gideons International, raising funds for and distributing Bibles.. A real churchman, in 1931 he joined the First Church of The Nazarene in Washington where he served The Lord Jesus Christ for most of his life. He served as Sunday school superintendent for over 30 years, church treasurer for over 35 years, an effective Sunday school teacher, a soloist and a man of prayer, always wanting people to know that God loved them and wanted them to have a better life here on earth and eternal life in heaven. An avid hunter, "Bob" hunted the hills of PA with his nephews Kenny and Kendall Johnson and others, and then the mountains of Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming with his son-in-law James Goss and nephew Andy Bryner. Bob was also a marksman, competing in both rifle and shotgun events. He passed on of his love for shooting to future generations by aiding his only grandson, Scott, in becoming a shooter for the Trinity Rifle Team and the passage of that same rifle from Scott to his son to compete on the McGuffey Rifle Team. He was preceded in death in 1990 by his wife of 64 years, Romaine Emerick Bryner. Also deceased are his 4 sisters, Jessie Stockdale, Margaret Johnson, Esther Golden, Eleanor Elliott, and his 3 brothers, James Alexander, John Henry and Charles Theodore Bryner. In 1999, at age 95, he married Lydia Katherine Clutter who survives and lives at Campbell Apartments in Washington. In August 2004 he became totally dependent on his daughter Dolores who faithfully and personally cared for and supervised his care. He first went to live with her and her husband in California, returning to his home in June of 2005 where she continued to care for him in his home. He is survived by his daughter Dolores Goss and husband Rev. James, his son Robert C. Bryner and wife Donna, 2 Grandchildren: Pamela Oldham (Michael) of California, and R. Scott Bryner (Tish) of Claysville; 2 great-grandchildren: Tiffany Afonso (Brandon) of California, and Robert Scott "Garret" Bryner of Washington County, and great-grandchildren Jase and Alaysha Browning and a host of nephews, nieces and friends. His favorite Scripture verse was Psalm 4:8: "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." His favorite Gospel song was: "The Longer I serve Him" No matter what else we remember about him, his greatest gift to each of us, the gift that was of ultimate worth, was when he shared his faith with us. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to: GIDEONS INTERNATIONAL; c/o Dr. Clive Phillips, 1616 Ridgewood Drive, Washington, PA 15301. Friends will be received Friday from 2 until 6 p.m. in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Additional visitation will be held on Saturday, February 16th, from 11 a.m. until noon, the hour of service, in First Church of the Nazarene, 1336 North Main Street, Washington, with Rev. James L. Goss officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery.