William Gibson Brandon

William Gibson Brandon was born December 12, 1923 in McIntosh County, Oklahoma. His father and mother moved their family to Rittenhouse, Arizona in April 1924. Bill and his siblings grew up on the farm in what is now Queen Creek, Arizona. He graduated from Chandler High School in 1941 and then went into a farming partnership with his father Charles Brandon. He saved his money and invested in his own farm in 1950 and farmed there until 1981. He was successful in growing cotton (produced record-breaking yields) and potatoes that were shipped to the chip industry throughout the Midwest. Bill and his father purchased the first cotton-picking machine in the Valley in 1947.

The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 just 5 days before Bill turned 18 years of age. By law he was required to register for the draft on his 18th birthday. He was anxious to join. However, over the next 4 years he was called up and disappointingly rejected by the Selective Service Board because of a heart murmur and high blood pressure.

In 1951 he met his wife of 58 years, Louise Rogers Smith, and was married in 1952. They raised Edwin Smith and his brother Roger Smith. Roger—age 16—was killed in an automobile accident in 1960. Edwin passed away in 2014, survived by his wife Cecilia (Cindy) Smith.

Bill and Louise moved to Chandler, while Bill continued farming in Queen Creek until he retired in 1985. They moved from Chandler to Sun Lakes in 1980. In 1982 they purchased an orchard in Yakima, Washington and grew cherries, apples and pears. Edwin managed the orchard until 1992 when Bill decided to sell to a neighbor grower. In 1995 Bill and Louise moved to Fredericksburg, TX, where they remained until Louise’s passing in 2008.

Bill returned to Sun Lakes, AZ, the latter part of 2009 where he met his present wife Ann Pastor Brandon. They were married April 17, 2010, where they resided in Chandler, AZ.

Bill is survived by his wife Ann Pastor Brandon, Sister Frances Brandon Pickett; Nieces: Glenda Pickett, Anita Pickett Langsmith and husband Dave, Suzy Brandon Griggs and husband Al, Mary Brandon Martin and husband Jerry; Nephews: Don (Pete) Pickett, Charles Brandon and wife Judy; James Brandon and wife Marsha; Bill Pickett and wife Susan; numerous great nieces and nephews and Ann's Family.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers making a donation to Samaritan's Purse at the link below.