William Bennett Braatz

William Bennett Braatz was born on June 21, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York and passed away on March 11, 2025 in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was the only son of William Otto Braatz and Florence Ploof.

Bill graduated from Mount Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, New York in 1948 and earned a Bachelor's of Science degree from the State University of New York Teacher's College at Cortland, New York in 1952 and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Syracuse University School of Law in 1958. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954.

Bill practiced law for over twenty years in Carmel and Cold Spring, New York. During that time he also served as a Village Justice of the Village of Cold Spring, Philipstown Town Justice, President of the Putnam County Bar Association, President of the Haldane Central School District P.T.A., and Secretary-Treasurer of the Putnam County Legal Aid Society. He was also a member of the Cold Spring Fire Company, the Phillipston Masonic Lodge, the George A. Casey Post of the American Legion and the Cold Spring Lions Club. He was elected County Court Judge in Putnam County, New York in 1982, where he served until his retirement in 1999. Upon retirement, he moved to Punta Gorda, Florida and later resided in Port Charlotte, Florida. During his retirement, Bill enjoyed boating, jazz music and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Bill was predeceased by his sister, June Petersen, and his granddaughter, Brenna Engle. He is survived by his wife Joyce Christensen, his four children, Janet Braatz, Donna Engle, John Braatz and Jean Braatz, and his four grandchildren, Taryn, Christopher, Julian, Joseph.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 2405 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte, Florida. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 11:00 am, at Southport Square, 23023 Westchester Blvd., Port Charlotte, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Brenna Engle Foundation, at 281 Pinebrook Drive, Hyde Park, New York 12538 or at www.brennaenglefoundation.org. Donations are tax deductible and are used to support underprivileged children in Ukraine. Please visit the online tribute for Bill at www.kays-ponger.com to sign the guest book and offer condolences to his family.