William Vincent BRANNAN

June 22, 1933 - October 30, 2020

William Vincent “Bill” Brannan was born on June 22, 1933 in South Gate, California where he spent his early childhood. In 1946, as a teen, Bill moved to Maracaibo,Venezuela with his parents where he developed a love of airplanes by working at the local airport and soloing at the age of 14. Bill traveled Venezuela by air and also ventured across the country to Colombia by car. Bill attended the American School in Maracaibo until the 8th grade. As a freshman in high school, Bill returned to The United States to St. Louis, Missouri to attend Principia Upper School, from which he graduated in 1952. Bill found a family of friends and developed his love for football when he became part of the varsity football team, in which he was also co-captain. He also lettered in basketball, baseball and tennis during his time at Principia. Bill went on to attend Colgate University where he spent a year on the rifle team. After a year at Colgate, Bill transferred to the University of Texas in Austin, where he graduated in 1957 with a degree in geology. Bill met his love of 64 years, Sue Ann McDowell during his time at UT. Bill and Sue were married on September 15, 1956 in the university chapel in Austin. Bill and Sue lived in Virginia during Bill’s time stationed at Fort Belvoir in the Army. When Bill was discharged from the Army, they moved to St. Louis in order to become houseparents at Bill’s alma mater, The Principia Upper School from 1959-1961. Bill also coached tennis and basketball at this time. At Principia, Bill and Sue met boarder Stan Lott who captured a special place in their hearts. When a family emergency arrived in 1961, Bill and Sue left St. Louis and moved to Sue’s hometown of Napoleonville, Louisiana where Bill stepped in and took over the family abstracting business. Stan and his younger brother Phil both joined Bill and Sue in Louisiana where Bill and Sue became their foster parents. Bill and Sue officially became parents when, after 12 years of marriage, they welcomed son William Evan (Chip) on August 27, 1968. Very quickly, their family grew when, sixteen months later on New Year's Day, 1970, twins, Roy McDowell (Mac) and Margaret Louise (Mimi) joined them. Finally, Susan Ellen (Suzy) came along sixteen months later on May 8, 1971, completing their family. Bill and Sue raised their children in Napoleonville until they returned to St. Louis in 1985, in order for their kids to attend The Principia Upper School. After returning to St. Louis, Bill spent 25 years working for US Title Company as a title examiner, using his decades long knowledge and experience as an abstractor in Louisiana. Bill played with the company’s softball team, along with his daughter Mimi, who also worked for US Title at that time. After retiring from US Title, Bill was able to enjoy such loved pastimes as reading, music (especially jazz) and watching sports of all kinds, particularly his St. Louis Cardinals. Bill’s proudest accomplishment was his family. He cherished his wife and kids above all else. Bill and Sue were regular fixtures at all of their kids’ activities, often driving hours to attend ball games or band competitions. He later continued this tradition with his four beautiful grandchildren. Bill and Sue became grandparents when Chip’s family expanded to include sons Seth and Cole, in 1995 and 1998 respectively. Bill and Sue traveled to Oregon twice a year to be with the boys and see them participate in football and other activities as they grew up. Later, daughter Suzy and husband David, welcomed son Sam and daughter Anna in 2009 and 2012 respectively. As Suzy’s family lived locally, Bill and Sue were regular fixtures in Sam and Anna’s lives. They attended the kids’ performances and activities regularly, just as they had with their own children. They even picked Sam and Anna up from school once or twice on a weekly basis. In 1998, Bill became an amputee with a left below the knee amputation. At that time, his son Mac told him that he was “now in the business of overcoming limitations.” Bill did just that, becoming an active member of local amputee support group “AGILE – Amputees Getting Into Life Energetically” as well as The Amputee Coalition of America and the Amputee Golf Association of America. Bill participated in many AGAA tournaments over the years. His favorite being the tournament at Hazeltine when his son Chip traveled with him to act as his caddy. Bill used his experiences as an amputee to counsel and support new amputees in the hospitals and rehab centers around St. Louis as they started their journey with a new normal. A friend once told him that he was “giving back to the universe” as he helped others in this way. Bill was so grateful to be able to make a trip out West in June with Sue, Suzy, David, Sam and Anna. They traveled to see Chip, Mac, and Mimi and their families in their own homes and environments. It was a great joy to see each of their homes and celebrate Father’s Day with the whole family. Seth and his girlfriend Carly even surprised him by driving from Oregon to California and Cole was able to join everyone in Arizona. Bill celebrated his 87th birthday on this trip in California surrounded by his family. Bill passed on Friday, October 30, 2020 in the home of his daughter Suzy, surrounded by the love of his family. Bill’s life was governed by kindness. He was loved as much as he loved others. He was adored and cherished by Sue, his children and grandchildren. Bill was an only child but had a wonderful network of lifelong “brothers” from his time at Principia. He also had many dear friends from work, his support groups and from church. Bill was a lifelong Christian Scientist, but loved and appreciated the inclusion that he felt from the congregation and dear friends at Church of the Shepherd Methodist Church. Bill was always there with a helping hand to support others along the way. Bill will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, as he was a light of joy and kindness to all. Bill is preceded in death by his father, Lambert Vincent Brannan, his mother and stepfather, LouCele and Roy Jindra. He is also preceded in death by his foster sons Stanley Lott and Philip Lott. Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sue Ann McDowell Brannan and by his children, Chip (Andrea Box) Brannan; Mac (Gabriella Novakova) Brannan; Mimi (George) DeVasto; Suzy (David) Millstone; and their “5th child,” Mark (Dawn) Huth. He is survived by his grandchildren, Seth Brannan; Cole Brannan; Sam Millstone and Anna Millstone. Bill is also survived by extended family members, Betty Carmouche (Phil) Lott; Frankie Lott; Joe Lott; Michael Lott; Rob Lott; Laurin Lott; Michael (Ann) Jindra; Evan Cooper; Amy Scutt; Sheldon (Susan) Scutt; Tyra Schutt; very dear family friend Max Ploeger and godchild, Lynn Ploeger (Steve Hadden) Swenson.