William C. Branan

Dr. William Clarence”Bill” Branan entered his eternal home on Friday, November 6, 2020, at his residence.Dr. Branan had resided in Washington since 1949 when he moved to open his Optometric practice which served the people of this area for 55 years.Dr. Branan was born July 20, 1924, to the late Gurley Wells and William Douglas Branan in Atlanta, Georgia.He spent all of his childhood and young adulthood in Atlanta, graduating from Tech High School in 1942.After High School he enrolled in Emory University, but was soon drafted for service in World War II.He served as a U.S. Navy Corpsman in the Pacific and returned home to Atlanta in 1946.Before deployment, he married his first wife, Eva Elizabeth Johnson of Atlanta in June 1944 during his basic training period.She preceded him in death in February 1978. After WW II, Dr. Branan continued studies at Emory University, completing his Doctor of Optometry degree at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee in 1949. Opening his Optometric practice in his beloved Washington, Georgia in October of 1949, he remained in practice until May of 2004.He employed many administrative assistants over the years, whom he loved dearly. Church and community life were very important to Dr. Branan.He served on the Washington City Council for over 20 years during the 1970s-1990, and as Mayor Pro-Tem during the majority of those years. Dr. Branan was devoted to Washington First United Methodist Church. He was a charter member of the Willing Workers Sunday School Class, which was the first “couples” class in Washington.He served on numerous church committees, served as an usher, and was a dedicated member of the chancel choir for nearly 40 years. An active member of the Washington Lions Club, he was known as the “Cotton Candy Man” at the club’s carnival as well as other community events.A supporter of the Washington Wilkes Tigers, he could be seen in the film booth taping games.He was a Cub Scout leader, and an avid volunteer and supporter of Wilkes County 4-H.He was active in the 10th District Georgia Optometric Association and enjoyed his leadership roles with Optometric colleagues.His hobbies included philately, airplanes, woodworking, gardening, and his 1958 blue and white Ford pick-up truck. Dr. Branan loved his family. In 1980 he married Susan Lee Cobb of Athens, Ga., and together they hosted many family gatherings which often included extended family and friends. Dr. Branan was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. And Mrs. William D. Branan; two infant siblings; his first wife, Eva Johnson Branan; one grandchild, Kyle D. Branan; and his son-in-law, Bobby W. Williamson.He is survived by his wife, Susan Cobb Branan; children, Shirley Branan Williamson, , Martinez, GA, William Douglas Branan (Beth), Douglasville, GA, Dan Clarence Branan, Acworth, GA, and Ashley Branan Sheffield (Brad), Satesboro, GA; nine grandchildren,Jeff Williamson, Portsmouth, VA, David Williamson and Eric Williamson, Martinez, GA, Kevin Branan(Nicole), Mableton, GA, Beverly Windsor, Seattle, WA, Seth Branan and Trinity Branan, Kennesaw, GA, Dixon Sheffield and Branan Sheffield, Statesboro; and two great grandchildren Livi Williamson, Gravetown, and Kyle W. Branan, Douglasville; brother-in-law, Joe Parsons, Winder, and cousins nieces and nephews. A PRIVATE family services will be held at Washington First United Methodist Church at 2:00pm Monday, November 9, 2020.Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery in Washington. MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE REQUIRED. The family would like to thank Dr. B. N. Kuppuswamy, Dr. Joe Wills, Dr. Peter Bigham, Michael McDaniel, P.A., special caregiver Nadine Flournoy, and Heartland Hospice for their care over the years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Washington First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 518, Washington, GA30673. The service will be delivered at 2:00pm on November 9 via the Washington FUMC Facebook page.