Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Braman, Willard H. "Bill" January 16, 2016
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Pat Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net June 10, 2020, 6:49 am

Ionia Sentinel Standard- Wed. Jan. 20, 2016

WILLARD H."BILL" BRAMAN
Willard H. "Bill" Braman passed away on Jan. 16, 2016, at Spectrum United Memorial 
Hospital. He was born in Grand Rapids on Feb. 4, 1924, to Oscar and Orpha Braman.
The family included brothers Ransom (Minnie), and Russell (Alice), and sisters, Mildred
(Wendell) Emery and Louise Braman, all of whom are deceased. He was also preceded in
death by his wife Helen Braman, and is survived by Jelane Hamper Braman.

His family includes his children; Bruce and Janess Braman, Belding; Carol and Roddy
Fancett, Sheridan; Bob and Betty Braman, St. Joseph; Mary Braman Morgan, Grand
Rapids; and Cathleen Braman. In addition there are 11 grandchildren; Cameron Hansen,
Adrienne (Jack) Barna, Andgela (Justin) Pluskhat, Vanessa Braman; Mindi (Eric) McKay, Mark 
(Jessica) Fancett; Nathan braman, Benjamin (Maria) Braman, Micah (Kelly) Braman;
Anne Morgan, Michael Morgan, Alison Morgan; and 17 great-grandchildren; Jackson, Colton,
Haven, Aaron, Ryan and Alexa Barna; Dominic and Dylan Pluskhat; Addison and Brynn 
McKay; Brandon Giles and Olivia Fancett; Katie, Kanye and Jaylissa Braman; and Jack
and Charlie Braman. 

Bill graduated from Creston High School in Grand Rapids. He moved to the Belding-Greenville 
area in 1947 to become a fruit grower. In 1958, he-with others, started Belding Fruit Storage 
Co. and Belle Harvest Sales, which still exist. His love of growing extended to being President, 
in charge of sales for many years until his retirement. He was also a partner in the former 
First State Bank and a Christmas tree grower in the area.

He was active in apple trade associations both in Michigan and nationally, having
been a past President of the International Apple Association and the National Apple
Institute.

He had a great love for and developed many friendships within the Michigan
Horticultural Society at Michigan State university. He was active in the Greenville area and
Montcalm County, on the original board of the Montcalm Community College and later the MCC 
Foundation, the Greenville Area Community Foundation, and a volunteer of the Greenville 
Spectrum Health United Hospital Foundation, as well as being philanthropic to these
organizations and others in the area.

He was active in the Sigma theta social organization and the Greenville Country
Club. Bill was a longtime member of Mount Calvary Lutheran church, where he worshiped, deepened
his faith and friendships, and served in many different ways, including church finances and 
property. Over the years he enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and watching his grandchildren's 
sports. Cremation has taken place at his request.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 22, at Hurst Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m.,
and a memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, jan. 23, at Mount Calvary
Lutheran Church, Greenvile, with Rev. Jeffrey Wilhelm and Rev. Bob Braman, Bill's son
officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Greenville Area Community 
foundation, Spectrum Health United Hospital Foundation, or Mount Calvary Lutheran 
Church, memories and condolence messages may be sent vialhurstfh.com.  Hurst Funeral
Home is serving the Braman family.

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