W. Blair Bryan, M.D.

February 4, 2025

William Blair Bryan, 94, a resident of the Cypress of Charlotte passed away peacefully on February 4, 2025. He was born on September 27, 1930, in Battleboro, NC, and was the youngest of three children born to Millie “Belle” Melton Bryan and Hugh Blount Bryan.
 
Growing up on his family farm, Blair was shaped by small town values representing a legacy of love, hard work and community. Within his family and community, he experienced and participated in serving and caring for others. A deep faith was passed down from his mother that shaped the way he lived out his life and was deepened by a growing faith in Jesus Christ, which became his anchor, purpose and passion.
In Battleboro, Blair met his wife, Nell Arrington Philips, and they were married in July of 1954 while he was in medical school. It was a marriage of 63 years that reflected a strength of love, commitment and partnering together in family and ministry.
 
Blair pursued an education in medicine, earning a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a medical degree from Duke University. Post medical school included an internship in New Orleans, LA, two years of service in the Navy in Pensacola as a flight surgeon, and pediatric residency in Richmond, VA. In 1962, he joined Charlotte Pediatric Clinic, where he served children and families until he retired.
As a physician, Blair had the ability to connect with children and calm anxious mothers with his remarkable bedside manner. Personally, within and beyond his practice, he had a gentle way of making others feel seen, heard and known with compassion and without judgement. His ability to see needs and meet those needs was his strength and so many benefited from his empathy and care. Along with a growing family and busy career he also served in leadership roles in the church, the medical community and several ministries.
 
A stroke limited Blair’s physical ability later in life; yet he continued to give to others through his kindness, many prayers, and interest in all who crossed his path, often without words. The love and compassion he showed others prior to his stroke was returned in abundance by his many dear friends and his loving caregivers Lerma Hill, Mars Cannon and Joyce Kitai. His family will be forever grateful for the ways these caregivers tended to his every need and loved him as if he were their own father.
 
Blair was predeceased in death by his wife, Nell. He was a devoted father of five, Trish Slyman (Jim), Betsy Blair (Mike) Ruth Hicks (Stacy), Bill Bryan, Ellen Cox (Sumter). He was also a grandfather to nine, Catie Eller, (David) William Blair (Elizabeth), Blair Terrill (Bryan), James Hicks (Hannah), Emma Henson (Reece), Millie Faulk (Caleb), Sam Slyman, Sumter Cox III and Charlie Cox and step-grandchildren, Dayna Trimpey, Matthew Slyman and Taylor Lenau. The legacy continues to 10 great grandchildren at this point.
 
A service celebrating Blair’s life will be held on February 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 101 Colville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207.  The service will be available to livestream at: https://youtube.com/live/jGNp5AvHAtU?feature=share
 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Blair’s honor to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 101 Colville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207 and Joni and Friends Charlotte, 616 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd # A, Matthews, NC 28105.
 

 

 
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204.  704-650-4511. 

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  • Kay Coryell

    I happened to see this email from Joni & Friends organization and clicked on this…I didn’t know your father but saw that,Trish, this is your dad! I was a teacher assistant in 2nd grade for Sam many years ago. What a wonderful man you had as your father/grandfather! Praying for your family now.

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  • Patricia Summers Greenberg

    Our family loved Dr. Bryan. He took wonderful care of all my children and their serious illnesses. In 1978, I remember so very clearly going to the intensive care at Presbyterian Hospital in the middle of one of the many nights to be with my 9 year old daughter who had sustained a severe head injury due to an auto accident and seeing Dr. Bryan and his wife praying over my daughter. Her coma lasted 9 months.
    Nine months later, I was told by Charlotte Rehab to put Susan in a nursing home that she would never wake up. We brought her home to at least give her a chance. Dr. Bryan was so supportive to me and Susan for the many years she continued to be his patient.
    In 2002, I called Dr. Bryan to tell him that after all these year and with extensive therapies that Susan was going to be a bridesmaid in her brothers wedding and walk down the aisle with an usher. This was amazing giving her diagnosis from Rehab.
    To my surprise, Dr. Bryan came to the wedding.
    I will never forget his expertise, love and caring nature that he gave to me and all my four children.

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  • Anita Marie Dakin

    To the entire Bryan Family,
    We are so very sorry to hear of your loss.
    We are sorry to not have had the pleasure of meeting such an extraordinary gentleman and provider.
    We will be praying for each generation, that God leads through each journey of grief to peaceful closure.
    May God comfort every member and give His peace, which surpasses
    all understanding. God bless you at this time and in the future!
    Anita Marie, WT Matthew and JT Dominique Dakin

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  • Christine Hillesheim

    When I first began as the new Area Director for Joni and Friends Charlotte back in 2005, Dr. Blair was there to provide wisdom, guidance and so much encouragement for a very new and inexperienced director. I will always be indebted to him for his kindness and support. He was instrumental in starting the ministry here in Charlotte so many years ago, and I know Joni Eareckson Tada held him in high esteem and counted him as a dear friend. Well done, good and faithful servant! You have left a beautiful legacy for so many families impacted by disability over the decades.

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  • Brenda Craig

    Blair was our pediatrician and neighbor for many years. He and Nell were wonderful roll models for Mike and me when we were young parents. We always knew he would be there for us.
    Sending our love to all the Bryan family.❤️

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  • Janie Spencer

    Dr.Bryan was one of the drs.of mine when l was little. He was kind and compassionate. Prayers for your family during this time.❤️

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