William L. “Bill” Brannan was born in Bryan, Ohio, to Harry Herbert Brannan and June Wagner on June 26, 1936. He departed this life on Friday, March 12, 2021. Bill graduated from Bryan High School, Bryan, Ohio, in 1954, Bowling Green State University in 1958 with a BS degree in Education, and then graduated from Indiana University in 1962 with an MS in School Administration.
He taught in Japan one year for Dependent Schools. He then taught Elementary, Jr. High and High School in the Bryan City Schools for twenty years. While in the district, he started the Remedial Reading Programs (Title 1).
In 1979, he moved to the Williams County Schools and later into Fulton County as an Elementary Supervisor and Director of In-Service programs. Near the end of his career, he became Principal at Crestwood Elementary in the Swanton Local Schools.
He was last employed by Anthony Wayne Local Schools as a Special Education Service Coordinator. In total, he spent 40 years in the field of education as a dedicated and diligent educator.
Bill graduated for ROTC at Bowling Green State University, and while there, started the ROTC Drum and Bugle Corp. Upon graduation, he was awarded DMS (Distinguished Military Student). He served in the Army eight years, including Active and Reserve service, retiring as a Captain.
While at BGSU, he was also a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He played drums both at BHS and in the BGSU marching band. Later, he enjoyed drumming in area dance bands for 35 years. He enjoyed golf, Cleveland sports’ teams and attended Indians Spring Training in Tucson, Arizona, Winter Haven, Florida and Goodyear, Arizona.
He was a member of the Maumee Elks Lodge 18150 and chaired the “Student of the Month” program for many years. He was a former member of the Bryan Lions Club and the Bryan and Waterville Rotary Clubs. Until the pandemic, he had delivered Mobile Meals of Toledo for over 20 years.
He traveled extensively within the United States, and with his wife, visited Europe, Asia, Central and South America and Africa. Beautiful photographs in his home chronicle their many adventures. He counted at least 35 countries on his adventures.
He was a Presbyterian Church member in Bryan and in Bowling Green over 50 years, where he served as an elder, Trustee and Deacon.
Survivors include his wife Shirley of Waterville; daughter, Jennifer Phillips of Prosper, Texas; brother, Stephen Brannan of Pettisville, Ohio; Brannan cousins and beloved nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his parents; a sister-in-law, Loretta Brannan; a dear cousin, Gene Benner; and his former wife, Diane Brace.
Private graveside services will be held in Shiffler Cemetery, Bryan, Ohio. Arrangements are under the care of Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions be made to Mobile Meals of Toledo or to the Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank.
Condolences may be sent to the family or memories may be shared at www.oberlinturnbull.com