Bill Branson

By Sun Advocate

HELPER – Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and neighbor, William W. “Bill” Branson, age 87, passed away peacefully Jan. 24, 2014 at the Beehive Home in Price.
He was born Jan. 20, 1927 in Castle Dale to William and Zelpha Peterson Branson. On Sept. 4, 1953, Bill married Faye Fox and they made their home in Helper.
Bill attended schools in Castle Dale and graduated from Central High. On his 18th birthday he signed up for the Navy and was sent to Camp Elliot in San Diego. Calif. He later went onto Treasure Island, another Naval Facility on the San Francisco Bay. In 1947, Bill became an accomplished pilot. He flew a Taylorcraft, several Cessna’s including the 150, 170 and 185, the Aeronca, the PT-19 and AT-6. He flew over 1900 hours.
In 1947, Bill went to work for Utah Power and Light at the Price Office. During his career, he was a heavy equipment operator for eight years. He worked at the Castle Gate Power Plant for 19 years as an Auxiliary and Board Operator. While at the Huntington Power Plant, he was a Supervisor of the Training Department for Operations, Testing, Mechanics, and Instrumentation. In 1983, he retired after 36 years of dedicated service.
Bill helped inspire CEU in building a museum, and he is a part of what it has become today. Bill’s family, associates and lifelong friends will remember him as an avid outdoorsman, rock hound, lapadarist, gemologist, mountain man, gold dredger, hunter, fisherman, and everyone’s friend! His ability to talk to people and make friends has blessed the lives of many. Bill and Faye’s home and rock shop have always been a welcoming place for strangers and friends.
In 2000, Bill suffered a de-habilitating stroke. Through his suffering, he has experienced true devotion, love, commitment, and compassion from his wife. Faye took excellent care of him in their home for eight years, and has been with him through it all. She’s been a great example of what love is to her family and her husband.
Too many memories to share, too many experiences surround this man who lived “Larger than Life.” Bill left footprints in our hearts and everywhere he went. His life was full of adventure. “To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” J.K. Rowling.
He is survived by his wife, Faye Branson; sons, William Bevan (Joyce) Branson, Jason Loran (Trina) Branson; grandchildren, William Brock (Kasslie) Branson, James Brett Branson, Heather Dawn (Eric) Jensen, Jennifer Lyn (Kevin) Jensen, Lacey Loran (Levi) Jensen; great-grandchildren, Zane and Joss Jensen; brother, Lane (Judy) Branson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William W. Branson, Sr., Zelpha Irene Peterson Branson Anderson; step-father, Loran Anderson; sisters, Imo Wray Branson, Mary Louise Branson Blanc; and brother, James B. Branson.
Funeral service, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, 11 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street) in Price. Family received friends at Mitchell Funeral Home Monday evening and will do the same Tuesday one hour prior to service. Interment, Mt. View Cemetery, Helper. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Bill online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net .