William Lee "W.L." Branham

Blackstock Mr. William Lee “W.L.”, Branham, 87, died Wednesday, June 22, 2016, at Chester Regional Nursing Center.A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 25, at Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church with Rev. Matt Horne and Rev. Eugen “Buddy” Bach officiating.Interment will be private.The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, June 24, in the social hall of Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church. Mr. Branham was born December 13, 1928 in Kershaw County, SC and was a son of the late Joseph Melvin Branham, Sr. and Irene Bowen Branham.He attended schools in Columbia and Fairfield County where he received his eleven-year diploma at Blackstock High School in 1946 and his twelve-year diploma in 1947.During the Korean conflict he served in the United States Coast Guard enlisting in 1948 and after basic training in Groton, Ct., he was stationed at Elizabeth City U.S. Coast Guard Station.He spent time on a buoy tender, drove an ambulance for rescue efforts on the NC coast, was mailman for his unit and advanced to the rank of YN2. He played basketball on the Elizabeth City air station team which was in a league on the East coast and was honorably discharged on April 7, 1952.Mr. Branham was past president of Chester High School Athletic Association.He was active in sports both playing and watching and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting and also enjoyed cooking.He was a devoted fan of those Clemson Tigers.Mr. Branham was a member of Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church where he was a former deacon, elder and Elder Emeritus and served in numerous other positions within the church. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lenore Orr Branham; one son, Steven K. Branham (Beth) of Blackstock; and two grandchildren, Mitchell K. Branham of Blackstock and Krysten D. Branham of Rock Hill.Mr. Branham was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Melvin Branham, Jr.The family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to his caretaker, Lynn Stevens. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church or to the church cemetery association, 1660 Pleasant Grove Rd., Chester, SC 29706 or to Hospice Care of SC, 173 Columbia St., Chester, SC 29706. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.