Wyant, Percy James    

Percy James "Jim" Wyant, 79, of Longview, joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on 
Sunday, January 29, 2006. Jim was born April 22, 1926, in St. Mary's, West Virginia, 
to Percy and Louise Wentz Wyant. Jim grew up in Harlingen, Texas, where he was active 
in many service organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank 
of Eagle. After graduating high school in 1943, Jim served in the Merchant Marine on 
tankers in the North Atlantic during the last years of World War II. He graduated from 
the University of Texas in 1949, and worked in the shipping and construction industries 
in Port Isabel and Harlingen. Jim moved with his wife and children to Longview in 1964, 
to pursue a career as a real estate professional. The Wyant family joined of First 
Presbyterian Church where Jim served as a Sunday school teacher, a deacon, and elder and 
trustee. As a founding board member, Jim was instrumental in organizing the Longview 
chapter of Habitat for Humanity and was a former member of the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs. 
After retirement, Jim and Anne volunteered driving for Meals on Wheels and as readers in 
the Adopt A School program at South Ward Elementary. Jim was a loving husband, father, 
grandfather, and friend who will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and gentle 
nature. He loved children, birds, flowers, and enjoyed good food. Jim is survived by his 
wife, Anne Noell Wyant; children, Sally Rathbun, Mike Wyant, Julia Wyant, and Carolyn 
Saathoff; sons-in-law, Casey Rathbun, John Simboli, and Don Saathoff; and daughter-in-law, 
Jane Wyant; grandchildren, Noell Rathbun, Kathryn and Sara Beth Wyant, Vincent and Luke 
Simboli, and Jillian Saathoff; sister, Jane, and brother-in-law, Alan Todd, and their 
children, Charles, Bryan, and Karen Todd; his niece, Kathleen Tune, and her brothers, 
Jim and John Fitzgerald; and sister, Betty Ann Fitzgerald. Jim was preceded in death by 
his father, Percy Wyant; mother, Louise W. Lawrence; and sister, Betty, and 
brother-in-law, Milton Fitzgerald. The family would like to thank Dr. Rangu, the 
professional, caring staff at Alpine House Assisted Living and the Southern Care Hospice 
team, plus sitters, Christina Oliver and Jo Davis. Memorial gifts may be sent to Longview 
Habitat for Humanity; or First Presbyterian Church Building fund. Visitation will be 
5:30-7 p.m. this evening, January 31, 2006, at Rader Funeral Home. Memorial services will 
be 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2006, at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. 
Jonathan Jehorek and Dr. W.D. O'Neal officiating. A memorial guestbook may be signed 
online at www.raderfh.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal 1/31/2006