from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Bryan O. “Sonny” Truitt, 84, of Whaleyville, Md., died Sept. 12, 2014 at Berlin Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Berlin.

He was born in Whaleyville and was the son of the late Joseph Truitt and Achsah (Holloway) King.

He had been a farmer and Standardbred trainer for many years.

He was a member of Whaleyville United Methodist Church, Delaware Standardbred Owners Association, Cloverleaf Owners Association and the United States Trotting Association. He was also a U.S. Army veteran.

He is survived by a son, Bryan J. (Sam); daughter, Lisa A. (Eddie) Phillips; brother, Norwood “Woody”; half-brother, George King; half-sister, Ruth Ann Lewis; daughter-in-law, Nancy Mears; former wife, Norma Joyce Truitt; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph “Dick” and Charles; sisters, Elizabeth Baker and Doris Taylor; and a stepson, Henry Mears.

A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. on Wednesday (Sept. 17) at Hastings Funeral Home in Selbyville with Pastor Phil Timmons officiating. Friends may call an hour before the service. Burial will be in Dale Cemetery in Whaleyville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Horse Lovers United, P.O. Box 2744, Salisbury, MD 21802 or Whaleyville United Methodist Church, c/o Elaine Rogers, 12332 Blueberry Rd., Whaleyville, MD 21872.