William Wallace Bryden

Bryden, William age 89 of Canton. Beloved husband of the late Virginia. Loving father of Judith (Al) Orlandi, Nancy, Richard (Donna), Mark (Kimberly) and the late William (Debbie) Mills. Proud grandfather of Karen, David, Kristen, Lauren, KaTina, Christopher, Michael, Courtney, Cameron, Nikki, Corey, Christopher and Nicole. Also survived by seven great-grandchildren; and his faithful companion Missy. Funeral Service Saturday 10 AM at Vermeulen Funeral Home, 46401 W Ann Arbor Rd (btwn Sheldon & Beck) Plymouth. Visitation Friday 2-9 PM. Entombment United Memorial Gardens. William W. Bryden was born in Detroit May 23, 1920 to William and Katheryn Bryden. At different points in his career, Bill was a professional musician, teacher, principal and special education director. At the age of 16, Bill won a scholarship to study music under John Philip Sousa at Interlochen Arts Academy. Also at 16, he started his professional career as a dance drummer and symphony percussionist. He was also a song writer and choir director. A man of diverse talents, before graduating from high school, Bill was professional at ceiling work, construction and house building. In fact, he was on his father’s word crew at 9 years old, building houses. He also had the honor of addressing national conventions for the National Council for Exceptional Children in Philadelphia, Detroit and Washington DC. He attended Transylvania University in Lexington KY on a music scholarship (39-43) and did his graduate studies at Wayne State University. He served in the US Army-Air Force from 1943-1946, attending Mississippi State for Officer Training. While at Transylvania, he was a founding member and the first President of Delta Sigma Phi. Bill began his career as a special education teacher in Highland Park in 1950. He was a principal in the Cherry Hill School District from 1955-1957. He returned to Highland Park in 1957 as the Supervisor of Special Education. While serving in this position, he and his staff produced a movie and two books which are housed in the Library of Congress. From 1969-1975, he was the Director of Services for Crestwood Schools before finishing his career in 1983 where he had served as the Director of the Oakland Training Institute, and Special Services Lamphere Schools, from 1975. Bill was married to his high school sweetheart Virginia (Fountain) Bryden for 63 years before her passing in July, 2005 from a rare form of leukemia. Both were music majors at Cass Tech High School in Detroit. Bryden is survived by four children, Judy (Al)Orlandi, Nancy, Richard (Donna) and Mark (Kimberly), eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by his oldest son Bill in May, 2008. To leave a message of condolence, please use the condolences link on this page.

William Wallace Bryden

May 23, 1920 - March 14, 2010