Willie L. Branim's Obituary
Bill Branim passed away October 10, at the age of 80 after a long battle with cancer. He was born the middle child of Joseph Willie and Julia Smithers Branim, in Evarts, Kentucky, where he grew up and attended high school. He was awarded a place in the Evarts High School Sports Hall of Fame for his leadership and football abilities. Later, he attended Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tennessee, where he also played football. He was recognized as the Hiwassee Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 1999, and was elected to the inaugural Sports Hall of Fame class in 2008. While playing for Hiwassee, he was recruited by Coach Ralph Hatley of Memphis State, and he spent his last two years in college in Memphis. He was chosen Most Sportsmanlike Player for the 1952 football season. In 2004, the Commonwealth of Kentucky awarded him the honor of Kentucky Colonel.After graduation from college, Bill Branim enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, eventually reaching the rank of Captain while stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. He resigned his commission in order to return to Memphis and join the accounting firm of Roy M. Scott. He quickly became the junior partner, and then the senior partner upon Mr. Scott’s retirement. It was not until January of 2009 that he formally retired from Scott, Branim & Blythe.Active in church and civic activities, he served on various committees with the Exchange Clubs, Glen Park Baptist Church, and Balmoral Baptist Church, where he was a member for many years. On August 20 of this year, the Nonconnah/Germantown Exchange Club presented him the lifetime achievement of Golden Deeds Award.He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Willard. He leaves his wife of 57 years, Delphia (Dee) Branim; his children Bill Jr (Linda) of Tuscaloosa, AL, Karen Peak (Dale) of Ashburn, VA, and Stephen Branim (Lisa) of Cordova; grandchildren Luke Branim, Zeke Branim, Kendra Peak Menendez (Mark), Chris Peak, Tessa Peak and Max Peak; and sister Glassie Branim of Verda, KY.The family has requested that any charitable donations made in his name be given to Balmoral Baptist Church or the Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse.
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