James William (Bill) Brannen

Sylvania, Georgia

Mr. James William (Bill) Brannen, 88, of Sylvania, died Friday morning, June 1, 2012, at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta.

Bill was born in Bulloch County, Georgia, to the late Pleasant B. and Daisy Akins Brannen. His family lived on a farm where he learned to plow, milk cows, feed chickens, and cut wood. After he finished high school, he enrolled in the University of Georgia. April 6, 1943, 300 of his comrades and he reported to Fort McPherson in Atlanta. 100 of those were sent to Fort Riley, Kansas for basic training. After basic, he pulled a stint of duty at Fort Jackson, S.C., Fort Mead, MD, and Camp Mildstandish, MA. On November 1, 1943, he boarded a ship and sailed from Halifax, N.S., arriving in Liverpool, England on November 8. On November 15, he and others joined Company 1, 18th Infantry which was stationed in Dorchester, England. He trained extensively for the invasion of France. On the morning of June 6, 1944, the L.C.I. carrying Company 1, hit the beach at Normandy. He saw action and fought in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Czechoslovakia. When the war ended, he had earned 5 campaign ribbons, a Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, a Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, a Silver Star, a good conduct ribbon and Combat Infantry Badge. He attained the rank of Tech. Sgt. (Platoon Sgt.) by the end of the war. After returning home he re-entered UGA in January, 1946, and received his degree in Agriculture majoring in Animal Husbandry. He enrolled in advanced ROTC while at UGA and received a reserve commission as 2nd Lt. in September, 1947. He remained in the active reserves for 26 years and retired as a Major. He was employed as County Agricultural Extension Service Agent for 30 years and retired April 1, 1979.

He was a member of the Sylvania Rotary Club, the Screven County Shrine Club, served on the Board of Directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Sylvania, The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, was a member and former deacon of the First Baptist Church of Sylvania, the Faith Sunday School Class, and the Road Runners.

Survivors include: His wife of 43 years, Dorothy Scurry Brannen of Martinez, GA, a Daughter and Son-in-Law, Elizabeth Anne B. and James Zuber of Knoxville, Tennessee, Step-Daughters and Sons-in-Law, Nancy E. and Daniel Lang of Martinez, and Reta E. and Rick Hester of Sylvania, A Sister and Brother-in-Law, Betty B. and Jones Akins of Tampa, Florida, A Brother, Paul E. Brannen of Statesboro, Grandchildren, Jason and Wendy Oliver and Daniel Oliver of Sylvania, and Ryan and Amanda Ford of Augusta, 4 Great-Grandchildren and several Nieces and Nephews.

His first wife, Betty Crowell Brannen, the mother of his daughter, Anne, preceded him in death.

Funeral services for Mr. Brannen will be held Monday, June 4, 2012, at 11:00 A.M., at the First Baptist Church of Sylvania with Dr. Charlie Cooper officiating. Burial will be in the Screven County Memorial Cemetery with full military honors rendered at the graveside.

Active pallbearers will be: John B. Lanier, Jason Oliver, Daniel Oliver, Ryan Ford, Kameron Oliver, and Brannen Oliver.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Lehman Brannen, Emmett Renfro, the Members of the Sylvania Rotary Club, Members of the Screven County Shrine Club, the Board of Directors of Farmers and Merchants Bank, Members of the VFW and the American Legion, Members of the Faith Sunday School Class of Sylvania First Baptist Church , and the Road Runners of Sylvania First Baptist Church.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 3, 2012, from 5 until 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Sylvania, P. O. Box 318, Sylvania, Georgia 30467.

Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home of Sylvania is in charge of arrangements. (912-564-2331)