William Brandon Jr

Born on April 27th, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, William “Bill” Brandon Jr. born to William E. Brandon Sr. and Helen Brandon, nee’ McDaniel, grew up in Pittsburgh where he graduated from the Connelley Vocational High School. . During his tenure at Connelley, he specialized in circuitry and in the installation of commercial and domestic wiring. William E. Brandon Jr. was active in the United States Air force from October 5th, 1956 until October 4th, 1960 and remained active with the option to reenlist. He applied for and earned an honorable discharge. He pursued a career in the electrical trades in New York and then moved to Columbus, Ohio to continue his career. He joined Union Grove Baptist Church under Reverend Phale D. Hale on May 13th 1962 and became an active member. He was initially active in the former Chancel Choir and within the Young Married Sunday School class; he later became active in Children’s Chapel. He was well known and appreciated for volunteering his talents for the audio-visual needs of the church and for improving the quality of the church’s electrical infrastructure. During his early years as a member of Union Grove Baptist Church, he met Bertha L. Broadway; they married on October 26th, 1963. The products of their union were Lauren D. Brandon (1965) and Esther R. Brandon (1970). William Brandon has played many important roles in the building, modernization and improvement of the general community of Columbus, Ohio. He was involved in the erection, wiring, and circuitry of many commercial buildings in the Downtown Columbus area. One example is the well known Nationwide Building One. William Brandon was a truly generous and giving individual; he is described as a strong force to be “reckoned with”. These characteristics are apparent in the roles that he has assumed, not only for his family and local community members, but also the civic community. He was a commissioner of the North Central Area Commission and active in the Woodland Avenue Civic Association where he made significant contributions to committees on community safety, infrastructure and maintenance. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, John Brandon. Leaving to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Bertha Lorraine Brandon; his daughters, Lauren Denise Brandon and Esther Renee’ Brandon (fiancé Vincent King); brother, George Brandon ( wife Helen); two sisters, Lorena and Joyce Brandon; sister-in-law, Jeanetta Brandon; nephews, Anthony Brandon and Paul Brandon, and a host of loving cousins.