In 1978, Brantley Auto Parts/Pronto Auto Parts opened its doors in Nahunta with Bobby Wilson, Bozo Willis and a young Vance Wilson.
The original building was across the street and closer to the red light, before moving to the location where it is now. Back then, I was in the same hunting club with Vance. I know that one of his nicknames was “Wormy.”
Forty-seven years later Bobby and Bozo have passed away and Vance has had some health issues of his own. His wife, Mary Jo, and son, Tanner, have been helping out in the business a lot more the past several years.
Vance has decided it is time to sell the business with “Bumper to Bumper” purchasing it and taking over soon. It has been a family-run business for so many years. To show appreciation, a big surprise parade was set up at the Nahunta Grammar School Saturday morning.
The “parade” of cars paced in front of the store to honor Vance. A couple of chairs were set up next to Hwy. 301 for Vance and Mary Jo to sit in as drivers in fire trucks, motorcycles, police cars, hot rods, street rods, cars and trucks came by to wave and blow their horns.
I think he appreciated it a whole lot as the vehicles passed by drivers and passengers waving and horns blowing.
Way back in 1980, I found a 1964 Chevrolet stepside truck. I worked on it and was able to drive to school when I graduated in 1982.
My grandaddy had a garage just a couple of buildings down from Brantley Auto Parts. That was where I got my parts to fix it up.
Years later, I raced a dirt track race car for eight years and once again, that was where I got most of my parts (and I needed a bunch of them!).
I have known Vance and his wife, Mary Jo, for that long or maybe even longer. Our families have lived in the Raybon Community all of this time.
Brantley Auto Parts has been a huge part of Brantley County for 47 years. I hate it, but I do understand.
• Wayne Morgan is freelance wildlife photographer and author.
