Willie Bratcher

LTC Bratcher, a native Texan, was born in East Bernard, Texas in the year 1934, to Ernest and Mary Alton Bratcher. He graduated from Powell Point High School in 1951 and went on to study at Prairie View A&M University where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1955.

LTC Bratcher met the love of his life, Grace C. Jones, while stationed at Ft. Lee, Virginia in 1958. The union spanned 62 years and produced three children. The family traveled the world relocating many times throughout Europe and the Continental United States as he served in the United States Army.

Throughout his distinguished military career, he served in various instructor, command, and staff positions in the United States, Germany and Vietnam. One of the Army’s first air defense and nuclear weapons experts, he became a Chief Inspector evaluating the proficiency of U.S. and NATO nuclear weapon delivery systems in Europe. Other assignments include Branch Chief of missile radar instruction; Plans and Operation Officer in the High-Altitude Missile Department at the Air Defense School; Chief of the Plans and Operation Division of Nike-X Anti-Ballistic Missile Central Training Facility; and Chief of the Operations and Training Division for SAFEGUARD, the Army’s first and only deployed antiballistic missile system at the time. He completed two tours of combat duty in Vietnam, first as advisor to Regional and Popular Paramilitary Vietnamese forces in 1965-66, secondly as Headquarters Commandant for the United States Vietnam Headquarters and as the Community Development Operations Officer for Civil Operations and Rural Development in 1971-72. LTC Bratcher retired from the Army in 1976 after 20 years of service. For his illustrious service he received numerous service awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (2 awards), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

After military retirement, LTC Bratcher launched a 25-year career in Houston Independent School District (ISD), serving nine years as a Senior Army Instructor, and 16 years as Director for the JROTC Program in the Houston ISD. During his service as director, he spearheaded the phenomenal growth of the JROTC department. Beginning with the establishment of a National Defense Cadet Corps unit at Wheatley High School in 1987, he oversaw the addition of one Navy, one Air Force; eight Army; an award-winning JROTC Career Academy and a Middle School Leadership, Citizenship Development Corps unit to the HISD organization. Considered the father of modern JROTC department development, he standardized operational procedures and added educational programs to increase the skills of both instructors and students. He established an enviable personal reputation by increasing student achievement via competitive school and summer leadership and camp programs, by designing state-of-the-art JROTC facilities at Westside and Chavez High Schools and by raising the district’s Honor Unit Status to the forefront of all large school districts nationwide. The Willie M. Bratcher Distinguished Cadet Trophy is awarded annually to the top graduating senior cadet in his honor.

LTC Bratcher was a member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. He was a proud member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity where he held several key leadership positions including Basileus of the Sigma Tau Chapter, El Paso, TX, in 1971. He spent several years actively supporting and participating with the North Houston Frontier’s Club, was a member of the Freemasonry (33rd degree) and was also a Connecting Link of the Texas Spring/Cypress Chapter of Links, Inc.

LTC Bratcher lived his life filled with honor, dignity, pride and incredible strength. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend. He loved to cook, tinker, and play an occasional game of Blackjack. While his physical being may not be here, his presence is greatly felt and missed by many.

LTC Bratcher was preceded in death by Ernest Bratcher (father), Mary Elizabeth Alton Bratcher (mother), Ernestine Bratcher Pearce (sister), Clarence Bratcher (brother), Iva Mae Bratcher Woodard (sister), Aubrey Bratcher (brother), Cloteil Bratcher Lewis (sister), Aaron Roscoe Bratcher (brother).

Celebrating the life and memory of LTC Bratcher: Grace C. Bratcher (wife), Wilma White (sister), Vivian Hicks (sister), daughter Yvette (Mike) Carter, daughter Debra Michelle Monroe, son Willie Marcus Bratcher Jr. Grandchildren: Lauren Monroe (Forrest) Seamons, Harry Alexander Monroe IV, Michael Ryan Carter, Brittany Channing Carter, MAJ Matthew Wade Carter (Adrienne). Great grandchildren: Colton James Carter (step-great grandson), Merida Grace Carter, Pippa Rose Carter, Avery Ehlen Seamons, Henry Thomas Seamons, Zyla Rocha Monroe and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.