Bryan Robert Bone, 52, husband of Shanna Michelle McCoy for 26 years, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
Mr. Bone was born in Charleston to Deborah Victoria Abrams Bone and the late William Edward Bone, Jr. He was a member of First Baptist Simpsonville and the founder of the Youth Orchestra at Summerville Baptist Church. Bryan was an alumnus of the University of South Carolina and an enthusiastic Gamecock fan. He had a heart and a genuine concern for the youth under his tutelage; whether it be in the band or in the classroom.
Bryan was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, SCMEA, SCBDA, and the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters’ Fraternity.
He served as Adjudication Chair on the SCBDA Executive Board and as Region Chair for the SCBDA. Bryan received several Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association. His bands consistently received accolades when performing for the public or for adjudication. Early in his career, Bryan had a successful marching band arranging business. He had written shows for bands across the Southeast. Bands performing his arrangements won state and local championships, as well as qualifying for finals at Bands of America events. Bryan had over three decades of experience leading award-winning middle school and high school bands, and is the only director in state history to lead high school bands to the South Carolina state marching finals in all five classes (1A Ben Lippen, 2A Swansea, 3A Camden, 4A Berkeley, 5A Boiling Springs and Byrnes). In addition, his bands have won numerous Upper/Lower State championships in 18 of the past 21 years, taking home five state championships. The first state championship, won by Swansea in 1999, is the only time in state history that a band was named state champion in its first year of qualifying for finals. Bone is one of only two band directors from South Carolina to lead three different programs to BOA Regional Finals — Swansea, Boiling Springs and Byrnes. In addition to marching band awards, his bands have earned consistent Superior ratings in Level VI symphonic band events. The James F. Byrnes Wind Ensemble was selected as a featured performer for the 2021 SCMEA Convention. During this last year as the new director at Liberty High School, the band had their highest placement and score in school history (4th) at the SCBDA 2A State marching contest. His love for music was contagious and he was always very supportive of his peers.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two sons, Dawson Bone and Caden Bone; his mother, Debbie Bone Callicutt with husband Paul; his sister, Melissa Bone; his mother-in-law, Diane Pitts McCoy, sister in law, Sheryl McCoy, brother in Law and sister in law, Shawn and Alison McCoy. He is also survived by nieces Kelsey Fullerton and Kayley Bowers and nephews Connor McCoy, Carson McCoy and Jaylon McCoy- Sweeney. He was predeceased by his father-in-law and friend, Howard G. (Bud) McCoy. Bryan is also survived by his and Shanna’s faithful Corgi, Randi ‘Coy.
A Celebration of Bryan’s Life will be 11 o’clock Saturday, June 1st, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Simpsonville, officiated by Rev. Randy Harling. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
In honor of Bryan, memorials may be made to The Dawson and Caden College Fund, c/o Shanna Bone, 216 Twilitemist Drive, Duncan, SC 29334.