Obituary for William “Bill” S. Branton, Jr. William S. “Bill” Branton, Jr., 78, of Summerville, husband of the late Rebecca Huggins Branton entered eternal rest Sunday, September 30, 2018. The family has requested a private funeral and burial followed by a public gathering of family and friends at 1 o’clock on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at First Emmanuel Baptist Church, 10665 Dorchester Rd. , Summerville, SC 29485.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be may be made to Agapé Senior Foundation, 2680 Elms Plantation Blvd. Suite #101, N. Charleston, SC 29406. Bill was born November 5, 1939 in Summerville, SC, son of the late William S. Branton, Sr. and Maude Winningham Branton.
He graduated from North Greenville Junior College in 1960 and continued on to graduate with his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of South Carolina in 1962 . He attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Palmetto Military Academy. Bill was married on November 20, 1961 to his college sweetheart the late Rebecca Huggins.
Bill devoted his life to the service of his country, his state, and community. He served on the Dorchester District 2 School Board from 1969-1970 and Dorchester Council of Governments from 1972-1978. He served on the Board of Directors for SC Association of Counties from 1973-1974.
He was active in the many organizations including: Summerville Family YMCA from 1974-1978; Advanced Board for Wachovia Bank from 1986-1996; The Marion Marauder Society; South Carolina Homebuilders Association, Summerville Chamber of Commerce; and Kiwanis Club of Summerville. He was awarded The Order of the Palmetto by Gov. Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. in 1988.
He was Vice-President of Sumter Guards, and The Retired Officers Association, and National Guard Association of SC and US. He retired as a Colonel from the SCARING where he served from 1956-1992. He served in the SC House of Representatives from 1979-1984 and served as a SC State Senator from 1985-1988 and 1997 -2003.
Bill Branton was survived by his son: William S. Branton, III (Beverlee) of Summerville; his daughters: Ginger B. Canaday (Donnie) of North Charleston and Shelley R. Hull (Phil) of North Carolina; five grandchildren: William Reed Branton, Ryan A. Branton, James D. Canaday III, Cade S. Branton and Mason W. Branton; as well as, five sisters: Virginia Branton Crosby of South Carolina, Gertrude Reeves (Robert) of Bamberg, Carolyn Black of Summerville, Barbara Jean Page of Summerville, and Brenda Britton (Wilson) of Hollywood. He was predeceased by his son: Britt H. Branton. A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting our website at www.
jamesadyal.com. ARRANGEMENTS BY JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME, 303 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483 (843)873-4040. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William “Bill” S. Branton, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.
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