William Anthony

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Wilson Brady Anthony, 91, of Waco, died Saturday, December 15, 2007, at Ridgecrest Health Care Center. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, December 21, at First Presbyterian Church of Waco with the Rev. Jimmie Johnson officiating.

Brady was born to Belle Brady and William Joseph Anthony near the town of Spring Valley, Texas, in southwestern McLennan County, on November 2, 1916. He graduated from Waco High School in 1939 and served in the U.S. Navy in World War II.

He married Carol Augusta Horton in Chicago, Illinois, on June 14, 1945. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois, a master's degree from Texas A&M University, and a PhD from Cornell University. He joined the faculty of Auburn University in 1953 and retired as professor emeritus in 1980.

Upon retirement, he and Carol moved to the Waco area. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church.

Brady was passionately devoted to the scientific improvement of agriculture. He was named Man of the Year in Southern Agriculture by the editors of Progressive Farmer in 1978. He continued his research and development efforts throughout his retirement; he was an innovator and an inventor and owned several patents.

Brady was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Virginia Spangler and Maurine Spiller; and his wife of fifty-nine years, Carol Anthony. He is survived by his daughter, Elinor Mazé and husband, Louis, of Riesel; granddaughter Ghislaine and husband, Jay, of San Francisco; great-granddaughter Ella and great-grandson Brady; granddaughter Angelica of San Francisco; a sister, Hattie Jo Barrett of Dallas; and several nieces and nephews.

Brady's family expresses heartfelt thanks to the assisted living and nursing care staff of Ridgecrest Retirement Center and to the staff of Bluebonnet Hospice.