Former WYDaily managing editor William Bryan DeVasher died Tuesday at the age of 54.
He was a journalist in Hampton Roads and worked at Local Voice Media’s WYDaily for six months this year.
“He was also a true ‘hands-on’ editor,” said Tom Davis, president and CEO of Local Voice Media. “When the helicopter crashed in Williamsburg, he was there before anyone else, and first asked how he could help anyone in danger before working on getting the news to the community.”
Born on March 19, 1964 to Norma and Roy DeVasher in Illinois, DeVasher went on to become a husband to Jenny DeVasher and father to Margaret and William Henry DeVasher.
DeVasher was a journalist for most of his life, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University in 1986.
He dedicated more than two decades of his career in the Hampton Roads community, beginning as a senior copy editor for the Daily Press in 1994. As a reporter, he was devoted to writing honest and compelling stories about the community for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
DeVasher was a relations specialist for the Virginia State Police before joining WYDaily.
“I’ll never forget him braving the boiling heat and torrential rain all weekend at Funhouse Fest, gathering pictures and telling the story of the event,” Davis said. “In the newsroom, he was a leader and a teacher.”
In addition, DeVasher’s work was also published in the Roanoke Times, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times.
He also inspired many young and aspiring journalists as an adjunct professor first at Hampton University and then at Virginia Commonwealth University.
DeVasher was known for being dedicated to his wife and children.
“Bryan was a sincerely nice person to work with and was a dedicated family man. He spoke lovingly of his family often,” Davis said.
DeVasher was a council member for local 414 troop Boy Scouts of America as well as dedicated time to supporting his children as members of the Fife and Drums of York Town.
There will be a memorial service at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 7, at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4897 Longhill Road, Williamsburg.
