William Claude Branch

Mr. William Claude Branch, 91, of Mount Airy, passed away Friday night, May 19, 2017, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. Mr. Branch was born July 16, 1925, in Surry County, one of seven children born to the late William Fletcher and Nannie Lee Atkinson Branch. Claude served our country as a private first class in the United States Army during World War II. He participated, endured, and survived the greatest land battle ever fought and won by the United States Army, the Battle of the Bulge. He later received the bronze star medal in Germany for his devotion to duty, leadership, and dependability. Claude enjoyed working side by side with his late wife, Mae, on their family farm for many years. Mr. Branch was truly a family man, cherishing every moment that he could spend with a family member. He was a member of Salem Baptist Church. He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Eileen Kidd and Jan and Garnett Beasley, all of Mount Airy, and Kathy and Gary Horton of Dugspur, VA; three sons and daughters-in-law, Phillip and Wanda Branch and Andy and Treva Branch, all of Mount Airy, and the Rev. Alan and Kathy Branch of Pilot Mountain; thirteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; an expectant great-great-grandchild; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Gladys Collins of Dobson and Imogene and Clarence Swaim of Randleman; a brother and two sisters-in-law, Wayne and Donese Branch of Dobson and Mearl Branch of Mount Airy; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Branch was preceded in death by his wife, Lina Mae Brindle Branch; two sons-in-law, William Johnson and Gary Allen Kidd; two sisters, Maude Brindle and Stella Coble; and a brother, Glenn Branch. A service to celebrate Claude’s life will be held Monday, May 22, 2017, at 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Alan Branch and the Rev. Garrett Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in the Blues Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, with military honors by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017.

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