MG Bill C. Branson, USA Retired, passed away Jan. 13, 2019 at the age of 90. Beloved husband of Juanita (nee Wolfe) Branson. Dear father of Mariann (John) Kelly and Julya (George) Adamakos. Proud grandfather of Michael Torrente, Marc (Michelle) Torrente and Stephanie Adamakos. Cherished great grandfather of Parker. Dearest brother, uncle, cousin and friend of many. Bill is preceded in death by his infant son, Rex Branson.
Bill was born in Bland, Mo. in 1928. He grew up in Belle and came to St. Louis at the age of 17. In 1947, he married his wife of 71 years, Juanita, and attended the St. Louis College of Mortuary Science. For much of his life, he lived in St. Louis Hills, where he raised a family and enjoyed a long career of over 60 years with Hoffmeister Mortuaries; retiring as their Executive Vice President and General Manager.
In addition to his civilian life, he enlisted in the Missouri National Guard in 1949, during his Mortuary apprenticeship, and proudly served on both active duty and in the reserves for over 38 years. He rose through the ranks and became a Major General in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served as the Commander, 102nd Army Reserve Command in St. Louis and completed his military service as Deputy Commander (RC), FIFTH Army, Fort Sam Houston, TX. His military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
Although he retired to Raintree Lake in Hillsboro, he continued his dedicated service to both careers by establishing the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program in St. Louis and expanded it nationwide with the support of Hoffmeister Mortuaries and Service Corporation International. Also, while living at Raintree, Bill and Juanita volunteered weekly for 14 years at the Hillsboro Food Pantry.
In 2012, they moved to Aberdeen Heights in Kirkwood, MO, where he enjoyed 6 relaxing years, many new friendships, and the time to spend with the family he cherished. Bill was extremely proud to join the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight for Korean War era veterans to Washington, DC in 2013 and to be honored as the 2016 Missouri Athletic Club Veteran of the Year.
On behalf of Bill, his family would like to thank his wonderful caregivers from The Glen at Aberdeen Heights and SSM Hospice Care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The St. Louis Fisher House or The Alzheimer’s Association.
A visitation will be held Monday, January 21, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa, St. Louis, MO 63109 and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service starting at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full military honors.
