Billy was an only child. At an early age he learned that the most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms; that the really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds, automobiles and real estate, but friendships, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love, and faith.
His formal education, as did all African-American students in the surrounding areas, including his mother, began at Stanton School which was built for negro students in 1865. Billy accompanied his parents to Long Beach, California and attended public school there before returning to Annapolis where he continued his education and graduated from Wiley H. Bates Senior High School. Like other able-bodied men of his time, he served his country in the United States Army in World War II where he was assigned to A Company 1697th Engineer Combat Battalion and did a tour in Europe.
Subsequent to his return to Annapolis, he fell in love with and later married Frances Viola Johnson Branch. From this union, the couple became the proud parents of ten children: Lawrence Michael Branch, William III (Pete), Gail, Cathy, Alan (Ron), Gregory, Toni, Hayward, Jeffery, and Martha Akers.
While residing and working in Annapolis provided a stimulating atmosphere for Billy, he was excited about seeking better employment opportunities and taking on new challenges, and after reassuring his parents that he would visit often, relocated his family to Washington, DC. His employment in the Washington area included positions with the United States Postal Service and L.P. Stuart Automobile Dealership. He joined the DC National Guard and served for many years.
A happy life for Billy - who with the births of his grandchildren became affectionately "Pop" to his loved ones and their friends - was spending time with his family. He was also entrusted with the care and nurturing of his godson, Preston Johns. Billy enjoyed reading all types of material and solving crossword puzzles. To those who had the privilege to know him also had the opportunity to experience his quick wit and his sincere caring. Pop's unwavering dedication to his family and friends is the hallmark of his life and legacy.
He was called home at age 77 and welcomed into God's loving arms at the George Washington University Hospital after a hard fought battle to combat complications from pneumonia. He was preceded in death by two of his grandchildren: Gregory Ronnie Akers and Thomas Darnell Vaughn.
Services held August 15, 2003 at New Bethel Baptist Church in Washington, DC.
On September 21, 2017, another link in the family chain entered eternal rest, his daughter Gail's Partner in life, Thomas Anthony Vaughn.
His formal education, as did all African-American students in the surrounding areas, including his mother, began at Stanton School which was built for negro students in 1865. Billy accompanied his parents to Long Beach, California and attended public school there before returning to Annapolis where he continued his education and graduated from Wiley H. Bates Senior High School. Like other able-bodied men of his time, he served his country in the United States Army in World War II where he was assigned to A Company 1697th Engineer Combat Battalion and did a tour in Europe.
Subsequent to his return to Annapolis, he fell in love with and later married Frances Viola Johnson Branch. From this union, the couple became the proud parents of ten children: Lawrence Michael Branch, William III (Pete), Gail, Cathy, Alan (Ron), Gregory, Toni, Hayward, Jeffery, and Martha Akers.
While residing and working in Annapolis provided a stimulating atmosphere for Billy, he was excited about seeking better employment opportunities and taking on new challenges, and after reassuring his parents that he would visit often, relocated his family to Washington, DC. His employment in the Washington area included positions with the United States Postal Service and L.P. Stuart Automobile Dealership. He joined the DC National Guard and served for many years.
A happy life for Billy - who with the births of his grandchildren became affectionately "Pop" to his loved ones and their friends - was spending time with his family. He was also entrusted with the care and nurturing of his godson, Preston Johns. Billy enjoyed reading all types of material and solving crossword puzzles. To those who had the privilege to know him also had the opportunity to experience his quick wit and his sincere caring. Pop's unwavering dedication to his family and friends is the hallmark of his life and legacy.
He was called home at age 77 and welcomed into God's loving arms at the George Washington University Hospital after a hard fought battle to combat complications from pneumonia. He was preceded in death by two of his grandchildren: Gregory Ronnie Akers and Thomas Darnell Vaughn.
Services held August 15, 2003 at New Bethel Baptist Church in Washington, DC.
On September 21, 2017, another link in the family chain entered eternal rest, his daughter Gail's Partner in life, Thomas Anthony Vaughn.
Billy was an only child. At an early age he learned that the most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms; that the really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds, automobiles and real estate, but friendships, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love, and faith.
His formal education, as did all African-American students in the surrounding areas, including his mother, began at Stanton School which was built for negro students in 1865. Billy accompanied his parents to Long Beach, California and attended public school there before returning to Annapolis where he continued his education and graduated from Wiley H. Bates Senior High School. Like other able-bodied men of his time, he served his country in the United States Army in World War II where he was assigned to A Company 1697th Engineer Combat Battalion and did a tour in Europe.
Subsequent to his return to Annapolis, he fell in love with and later married Frances Viola Johnson Branch. From this union, the couple became the proud parents of ten children: Lawrence Michael Branch, William III (Pete), Gail, Cathy, Alan (Ron), Gregory, Toni, Hayward, Jeffery, and Martha Akers.
While residing and working in Annapolis provided a stimulating atmosphere for Billy, he was excited about seeking better employment opportunities and taking on new challenges, and after reassuring his parents that he would visit often, relocated his family to Washington, DC. His employment in the Washington area included positions with the United States Postal Service and L.P. Stuart Automobile Dealership. He joined the DC National Guard and served for many years.
A happy life for Billy - who with the births of his grandchildren became affectionately "Pop" to his loved ones and their friends - was spending time with his family. He was also entrusted with the care and nurturing of his godson, Preston Johns. Billy enjoyed reading all types of material and solving crossword puzzles. To those who had the privilege to know him also had the opportunity to experience his quick wit and his sincere caring. Pop's unwavering dedication to his family and friends is the hallmark of his life and legacy.
He was called home at age 77 and welcomed into God's loving arms at the George Washington University Hospital after a hard fought battle to combat complications from pneumonia. He was preceded in death by two of his grandchildren: Gregory Ronnie Akers and Thomas Darnell Vaughn.
Services held August 15, 2003 at New Bethel Baptist Church in Washington, DC.
On September 21, 2017, another link in the family chain entered eternal rest, his daughter Gail's Partner in life, Thomas Anthony Vaughn.
His formal education, as did all African-American students in the surrounding areas, including his mother, began at Stanton School which was built for negro students in 1865. Billy accompanied his parents to Long Beach, California and attended public school there before returning to Annapolis where he continued his education and graduated from Wiley H. Bates Senior High School. Like other able-bodied men of his time, he served his country in the United States Army in World War II where he was assigned to A Company 1697th Engineer Combat Battalion and did a tour in Europe.
Subsequent to his return to Annapolis, he fell in love with and later married Frances Viola Johnson Branch. From this union, the couple became the proud parents of ten children: Lawrence Michael Branch, William III (Pete), Gail, Cathy, Alan (Ron), Gregory, Toni, Hayward, Jeffery, and Martha Akers.
While residing and working in Annapolis provided a stimulating atmosphere for Billy, he was excited about seeking better employment opportunities and taking on new challenges, and after reassuring his parents that he would visit often, relocated his family to Washington, DC. His employment in the Washington area included positions with the United States Postal Service and L.P. Stuart Automobile Dealership. He joined the DC National Guard and served for many years.
A happy life for Billy - who with the births of his grandchildren became affectionately "Pop" to his loved ones and their friends - was spending time with his family. He was also entrusted with the care and nurturing of his godson, Preston Johns. Billy enjoyed reading all types of material and solving crossword puzzles. To those who had the privilege to know him also had the opportunity to experience his quick wit and his sincere caring. Pop's unwavering dedication to his family and friends is the hallmark of his life and legacy.
He was called home at age 77 and welcomed into God's loving arms at the George Washington University Hospital after a hard fought battle to combat complications from pneumonia. He was preceded in death by two of his grandchildren: Gregory Ronnie Akers and Thomas Darnell Vaughn.
Services held August 15, 2003 at New Bethel Baptist Church in Washington, DC.
On September 21, 2017, another link in the family chain entered eternal rest, his daughter Gail's Partner in life, Thomas Anthony Vaughn.
Gravesite Details
Billy is interred with his maternal great aunt, Ms. Gaither Roland Creek
