Rev. Will Henry Branch

Rev. Will H. Branch passed away on Friday, July 12, 2013 at his home at the age of 92 years. He was born August 9, 1920 in Arcola, MS to James and Rubie (Hale) Branch. He came to Saginaw, MI on June 14, 1942. Rev. Branch was employed at the General Motors Malleable Iron Plant, retiring in 1973 after 32 1/2 years of service. He was a member of UAW Local #455. He had also been employed at the Heavenrich clothing store. Rev. Branch accepted Christ at the age of 36 years. He served faithfully in the Male Choir, on the Trustee Board and was called to the ministry in 1961. He became Pastor of the Corinthian Baptist Church for 9 years and 7 months, after which he returned to Zion Missionary Baptist Church in 1996. He was a member of the Board of Directors for OIC. Pastor Branch was a graduate of the America Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS). He did jail ministry for many years as well as conducted prayer and bible study. He enjoyed reading the bible, telling people about God’s word, Detroit Tiger baseball, shopping, and being well dressed. He leaves to cherish precious memories, two sons and one daughter, Leroy Branch (Levetty), James Branch (Pat) and Willa Branch-Marselis (Jeffrey); five stepchildren, Pat Williams, Tammy Winn, Min. James O. Johnson, Jr., Terri Johnson and Dahbu Dahbu; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Branch and Leota Mae Shields, both of Milwaukee, WI and Alice Fay Robinson of West Memphis, AR; many nieces and nephews; one daughter-in-law, Ann Davis of Westmont, IL; and many other close relatives and friends, including a special friend, Margell Moore and devoted friends, Rev. Roosevelt Austin, Pell Malone and Robert Moe Woods. Rev. Branch was preceded in death by his wives, Rose L. Branch and Essie May Branch; Willie Branch, Jr. (Tyrone Davis), stepson, James Little; parents, James and Ruby Branch; brother, James Branch, sisters, Claudia Branch, Audrey Lee Nathaniel and Jane Evelyn Brown, brother-in-law, Dave Feltson; and sister-in-law, Irene (Cooper) Branch. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2013 at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 721 Johnson Street. Pastor Rodrick A. Smith will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Rev. Will Henry Branch

August 9, 1920 - July 12, 2013