William H. "Bill" Branton

William H. "Bill" Branton, 89, of Crowe Springs Road, White, Ga., passed away Thursday morning, Oct. 7, 2010, at his residence. Mr. Branton was born Sept. 8, 1921, in Bartow County, Ga., son of the late Fred Branton and Rader Fortenberry Branton. Mr. Branton was retired from Long Furniture and for many years was employed by Owen Funeral Home. He was of the Methodist faith and was a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Bernice R. Branton in 1987; and by a half-brother, Macon Fortenberry. Survivors include his wife, Selma Rutledge Branton; step-children, Mark & Linda Rutledge, Robin & Lee Cochran; step-grandchildren, Shelly & Ricky Sheriff, Tony Rutledge, Niki & Brandon Hammock, Angela Greenway and Dana Greenway; step-great-grandchildren, Tyler Sheriff, Emily Sheriff, Hunter Hammock and David Greenway; sisters & brother, Margie Rutledge, Pauline Cain, Mary Elrod and George & Wanda Branton; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 9, at 2 p.m. in the Owen Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kenny Jacobs and the Rev. Fred Lee officiating. Interment will follow in the White Cemetery. The family received friends Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Owen Funeral Home. Pallbearers include Don Cain, Roy Rutledge, Wayne Rutledge, Sam Fortenberry, Kenneth Branton and Brian Evans. Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to sign the online register book and post tributes. Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive SE, Cartersville, GA 30120, has charge of the arrangements for the funeral of William H. "Bill" Branton.