Russell "Bill" Branham

Russell W. “Bill” Branham passed away on November 21, 2022, just 51 days shy of his 100th birthday, in
Medford, Oregon. He was born on January 12, 1923 in Pasadena, California to Russell C. and Hetty (Stinson)
Branham.
The family, including three sons and a daughter, moved around California before settling in Long Beach,
California, where Bill graduated from Wilson High School in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Signal
Corp, later to become the U.S Air Force, where as a pilot he earned the rank of Lieutenant and flew C-47
carrier planes in the 311th Squadron, 349 Troop Carrier Group. He was stationed in Hawaii, in the Pacific
Theatre. After the war, Bill was in the US Air Force Reserves and was promoted to Major Branham.
After World War II, Bill began his career in the commercial printing business. In the 1950s and 1960s, he
owned Public Press in Bellflower, California and after moving to Medford, Oregon in 1965, he owned Acorn
Press until 1985, when he sold the business and retired.
Bill was introduced by a mutual friend to Margaret W. McAfee, whom he married in June 1946. They had two
daughters, Linda and Vicki, and were married for 55 years until her death in 2001.
Bill was a member of Lions International for more than 60 years, serving as Treasurer, Secretary, President
and District Governor, twice. As a Lion, he was frequently found selling white canes, distributing flags to
elementary students, handing out Christmas baskets to needy families, and supporting the So. Oregon Sight
and Hearing Foundation.
In his younger days, Bill enjoy camping and fly fishing, backpacking, snow skiing, and water skiing.
His life long passion was golf. He played his last round when he was 98 years old. After his retirement, he
worked at the Stuart Meadows Driving Range, until its closure and was a member of the Stuart Meadows
Mens Club.
Bill was also a volunteer for the Medford Food Project, a member of the Elks and a member of Westminster
Presbyterian Church. He attributed his longevity, in part, from keeping active.
He is survived by his daughters, Linda Sparks and Vicki (Eric) Hunt, seven grandchildren, and six greatgrandchildren.
Also surviving is his long-time love, Mary Lou Warren.
A Memorial Service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on December 9, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to Southern Oregon Sight & Hearing Foundation or The
Alzheimer’s Association.