Our beloved John “Bryant” Whisenant, 88 of Oceana, WV earned his wings at 6:51am on Monday, September 28, 2026 at the ripe old age of 88, while sleeping peacefully at Pine Lodge, Beckley, WV. He Was born the 12th child to H.W. and Dora Kidd Whisenant of Lilly Haven on April, 1938. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife Hannah Steffey Whisenant, a daughter Belinda Lou Whisenant, brothers Charles, Max, Homer, Harold, Bobby, Benny, and David, sisters Jean, Betty, Ruth, and Nancy. He lived his childhood and attended school in Oceana, WV. Upon graduating from Oceana High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he became an airplane mechanic while serving at Lackland A.F.B., San Antonio, TX, Elmendorf, Anchorage, AK, and Holloman, New Mexico. Following his service, he returned home to Oceana and began working at Cook Ford Sales, working the parts counter and was later promoted to service manager. He remained at Cook Ford until it’s closure. He then worked at Mike Ferrell Ford, Logan, WV and finished his career at Thornhill Ford in Chapmanville, WV. During his early years at Cook Ford, he met and married his wife of 60 years, Hannah Steffey. Bryant accomplished many goals and received numerous awards during his lifetime, but his family and friends, he felt, were his greatest achievements. He had an odd sense of humor, had a nickname for everyone, and kept his family, friends, and coworkers well entertained and laughing at all times. In addition to being with his family and friends, the things he enjoyed most were fishing, hunting, woodworking, and “fixing” things. He could fix anything from a car to a broken thumb. He was a member of Lilly Haven Baptist Church and considered the church his family. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 138, Beni Kedem Temple of the Shrine, and Served as a Councilman for the Town of Oceana for many years. Those left to cherish his memory include Sherry Kirk and husband Danny, grandson Ethan Whisenant and wife Tiffany, and great grandchildren Kayson and Hannah Whisenant, all of Shady Spring, WV. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, October 1st in the Chapel of Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV with Pastor Algie Cook officiating and Bryant’s nephew Bro. Bill Ashworth speaking on behalf of the family. Friends may gather with the family from 12:00pm until time of service on Thursday at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest alongside his wife in Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny, WV. Pallbearers will be Jeff Hood, Avery Bailey, Jo Buck Cook, and Nathan Short and members of the Oceana Fire Department. Military Rites will be conducted by the Wyoming County Veterans Honor Guard, and Masonic Rites will be conducted by Masonic Lodge Number 138 of Pineville, WV. The family would like to extended a special thank you to Beckley VA Medical Center and the staff at Pine Lodge for loving him as much as we did. In lieu of flowers, follow Bryant’s wishes and send donations Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals online at donate.shrinerschildrens.org or Shriner’s Children’s, P.O. Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home.