Ward Brannon

Ward Brannon left this life on May 28, 2014 at his home in San Jose, where he had lived for 52 years. He had been in gently failing health for 5 years, but fought for and maintained his upbeat and cheerful personality, memories and facilities until he could no longer maintain life’s breath. He will long be remembered and honored by those who knew him. Ward led an exemplary life. He was intelligent, strong, caring, capable and a loving family man who is greatly missed by family and friends.

Ward was born to Ward Sr. and Ossa Wilson Brannon in Fairmont, West Virginia on Aug 6th 1920, and grew up in Middlesboro, Kentucky. He earned his degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, during which time he interned at the Glenn L. Martin Company, where he continued designing and building aircraft for the war effort. Ward met the love of his life, Lilyann Wingrove Sosbee, with her young son Stuart, in Baltimore, Maryland in January 1946. They were married on October 5, 1946 and enjoyed 67 years of life together.

Ward was recruited by Northrop Aviation to help develop the YB-35 and later YB-49 “Flying Wing” (the precursor to the modern Stealth Bomber) and they moved their growing family to the Los Angeles area on Jan 1, 1949, becoming true “49ers”. He later joined Lockheed Missiles & Space, where he became Senior Staff Engineer. He worked on the atomic testing programs in the Nevada desert in the 1950’s, and later served as Test Base Manager for the Polaris Missile program at Terminal Island in Long Beach, California, in a joint operation with the Navy. He was responsible for the successful underwater launch of the first Fleet Ballistic Missile in 1960, helping to establish the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrent capability.

The family moved to San Jose in June of 1962, where Ward worked on many more projects for Lockheed in Sunnyvale, including Ground Vehicle Systems on the Twister program, and Database Management Systems, before his retirement in 1984. He maintained lifelong friendships with co-workers and fellow members of the Lockheed Sports Car Club. The frequent lunches with his wonderful retired friends were always a highlight of any week.

Ward and Lilyann have been active members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Santa Clara since 1962. He was also an active member of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Corvair Society of America, enjoyed working on his beloved Corvairs, and helping others with anything car-related. His passion for airplanes and cars was mirrored in his passion for photography. His many photographs demonstrate his love for his family, the American outdoors, and life in general.

Ward was predeceased by his parents, daughter Nancy, who died in 1953 and his only sister Betty Jo Wilder (Virgil). He is survived by Lilyann, his son Stuart Brannon (Susie) and grandson Don, daughter Barbara (Tryon) Cobarruviaz (Lou) and granddaughter Deanna Tryon, and son Paul. He is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and in-laws, including Linda Wilder McNeil, Bruce and Karen Henderson, Ann, Mary and Caroline Wingrove, Patricia Cotton, her son Dan Hart, all their wonderful families and many more by birth and marriage. All remained close and loved throughout Ward’s life, even though great distances often kept them apart physically.

A celebration of Ward’s life will be held on August 16th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s church, 1957 Pruneridge Ave, Santa Clara.