William Barry Brunson

Sunday, November 18, 1962, Mr. William “Junior” Brunson and Mrs. Edith “Dutchie” Brunson were blessed with a bouncing baby boy whom they named William Barry Brunson.  His parents instilled in him good morals.  They taught him how to love and how to treat his fellowman, but most importantly to dedicate his life to Jesus Christ.  

Barry was reared and spent the majority of his life in Hampton County, SC, with the exception of him furthering his education and serving his country.  At an early age, Barry joined the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church (NHMBC) where he served faithfully.  In later years, he joined the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Gospel Choir where he was very active and a lead singer.  When Barry introduced a song for the choir to sing, he made sure they sang every lyric in the song…no shortcuts.  The first song that Barry led, “IT’S GONNA RAIN”; it was sung in its entirety, just as it was written by the artist and at the 2020 NHMBC Gospel Choir Anniversary, he sung “HE PROMISED ME.”  Barry was always serious about his singing.

Barry attended Hampton School District #1 graduating in 1981 from Wade Hampton High School.  Upon graduation from high school, Barry attended DeVry Institute of Technology – Atlanta, GA, receiving an Associate Degree in Electronic Technology.  After graduating from DeVry, Barry enlisted in the United States Army in 1983.  Prior to going to Basic Training, Barry returned to South Carolina to marry his high school sweetheart, Ms. Jacqueline Mole, on Saturday, September 10, 1983.  Barry wanted to support his family like his father supported their family.  Barry had the opportunity to travel the world along with his family.  Barry and Jackie then decided it was time to expand their family; God blessed this union with two sons:  Mr. Gary Travoris Brunson and Mr. Darius Darrell Brunson.  Upon being honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1989, Barry became employed with GTE, Verizon, and Frontier Communication for 26 years.  March 2014 Barry retired from the telecommunications industry.  Barry did not allow his illness to hinder him from doing anything; he did not want a pity party.  He was active, even though he may have moved a little slower, that did not stop him; he wanted to live life to the fullest and that he did.  Therefore, he became employed with Hampton School District #1 as Gate Security at Wade Hampton High School.  Barry was a trainer at Elite Gym.  Barry loved children so much that he became involved with sports at Wade Hampton High School (WHHS) leading him to coach the JV Girls Head Coach, Varsity Girls Head Coach, and JV and Varsity Football Assistant Coaches, Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach.  With his assistance, as Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, on February 29, 2020, the Varsity Boys earned the 2020 Lower State Championship Title in Florence, SC.  
Barry also served as the president of the Jenkins Family Reunion from 2019 – present and served as Class of 1981 & Class of 1982 Assistant Treasurer.
Barry is preceded in death by his parents, William “Junior” and Edith “Dutchie” Brunson; his father and mother-in-law, Roy and Viola Mole; one brother-in-law, Mr. Alphonso Kelly; aunts and uncles:  Hugh “Bun” and Marie Jenkins, Cecil “Mink” and Ruth Jenkins, Samuel “Pat” and Henrietta Jenkins, Jennie L. “Shaggy” and John Pringle, Nebbie and Gussie Jenkins, Cicerso “Toe” Frazier, Ruth “Pig” Fennell, Sylvester and Rena Mole, Frankie L. Morris, Sr., Harry Mole, Sadie Grant, Orie Mole, and Corine Tyler.
Barry leaves to cherish his loving memories:  his devoted and loving wife of 36 years, Jacqueline M. Brunson; two sons (2): Gary T. Brunson (Sharon), Hampton, SC and Darius D. Brunson, Anderson, SC; two (2) grandsons:  Micah and Elijah Brunson, Hampton, SC; three (3) sisters:  Ethel, Sylvia, and Tammy Brunson, all of Hampton, SC; two (2) brothers: Raymond (Miyong) Brunson, Hampton, SC and Sammy Brunson, Walterboro, SC; four (4) brothers-in-law:  Alphonso (Shelia) Mole, Titusville, FL; Edwin (Phyllis) Mole, Varnville, SC; and Ronald (Lakeitha) Mole, Spring Hill, TN; and Rodney Bennett, Hampton, SC; two (2) sisters-in-law: Teresa Kelly, Miami, FL; and Samantha (Willie) Smoakes, Varnville, SC;  aunts:  a devoted and loving aunt, Nell Frazier, Hampton, SC; Christine Mole, Newburg, NY; and Doris Mole, Islandton, SC; devoted cousins, he called his aunt, Evangelist Norma (Deacon Ronnie) Capers and Missionary Plandy Morris, Varnville, SC; two uncles: Roosevelt “Rosie” Fennell, Barkersville Community, Yemassee, SC and Norris Grant, Varnville, SC.  Three (3) special friends, John Herndon, Islandton, SC, I. W. Mathis, Hampton, SC; and Steve Kemmerlin, Varnville, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, and devoted friends.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:   Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…. II Timothy 4:7-8 KJV
Mr. William Barry Brunson succumbed to a peaceful rest on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at 6:00 a.m., surrounded by his loving family.  

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