William "Bill" Branham

William "Bill" Branham, a lifelong resident of Westville, passed away on November 7, 2025, at the age of 82, at the VA Illiana Healthcare System in Danville. He was born in Danville on March 11, 1943 to the late William and Ida Gritton Branham.

Bill married the love of his life, Carolyn “Sue” Nixon, on July 7, 1962 in Bismarck, Illinois. They were married for over 62 years before her passing in 2024. The two shared a beautiful life together that was a wonderful testament to the love that was evident they had for each other. Not too long after being married, Bill enlisted in the United States Army in 1966. He bravely served his country in Vietnam from August 1967 to 1968 with the 57th Transport Company. After returning home, he remained an active member of the Westville American Legion. Bill worked at ESCO in Danville for many years before pursuing a path in construction before his retirement.

Bill loved playing golf whenever he had the chance as much as he loved the thrill of a slot machine. An avid fan, he could often be found wearing either a Chicago Cubs or Bears hat. Bill cherished his winters in Texas and looked forward to $2 Buck Tuesdays at the Danville Dan games. This past year, many of Bill’s afternoons were spent meeting new friends and catching up with old ones at Rosie's Tavern. It was not uncommon for Bill to show up at Rosie’s with his loyal side-kick, Ottis, that he picked up in the golf cart on the way. Many times, without Ottis’s owners even knowing.

A lifelong resident, Bill loved Westville’s rich history and took great pleasure in sharing his knowledge and love for the area with others. One of his proudest accomplishments included previously owning the Klondike Tavern in Westville, but his true claim to fame was being thrown through a glass window at the Joker Club by Dick Butkus.

In addition to his parents and his wife Sue, Bill was preceded in death by his brother Richard Branham, sisters Pat Shaffer and Marylou High, and his dog Lucy.

He is survived by his sister Darlene (Roger) Boen; his nephews Rob (Stacy) Boen and GW (Theresa) Combs; niece June (Harry) Hatch; several other dear nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews that earned him an honorary grandfather title, and many great-greats as well.

Bill’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at the Palliative Care Center at the VA for the great care they took of Bill these past several weeks.

A visitation will be held from 10 am – 12 pm on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home’s Urbas Chapel, located at 414 S. State Street in Westville. A funeral service will immediately follow at noon on Thursday, also at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest with military honors at the Danville National Cemetery following services that morning. Pastor Steve Pearson will be officiating. Memorial donations in his honor can be made to the Westville American Legion’s Honor Guard. Online condolences and fond memories can be shared with his family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.