William Arthur Branner Jr.

William Arthur Branner, Jr. was born in 1932, the second child of William Arthur Branner, Sr. and Allie Victoria Robinson. His Lutheran parents were small business owners repairing shoes in Charlotte so he was raised in a simple and frugal lifestyle. He taught himself to play the piano by ear and could play literally any song by request. He worked as a soda jerk. He served our military during the Korean War, then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during the time when UNC won its first national basketball championship. He returned to Charlotte and married a beauty queen. He and his wife Christine raised four children. I was his favorite son but he loved my three sisters more. He worked for State Farm Insurance for 35 years where he made countless friends. He and Christine sang in the choir at Sardis Presbyterian Church. He coached youth basketball. He served on the PTA. He once bought a one-eyed horse at a Saturday garage sale which he cared for in his pasture for many years. He lived in the same home for 52 years and loved to stay home to work on his property. He refinished an entire basement himself. He had a large vegetable garden with 100 tomato plants. He loved watching TV so much so that he had a TV in every room so he could watch sports and his favorite show The Andy Griffith Show. He exchanged nods with Frank Sinatra at a concert. He took Mom to Las Vegas to see Celine Dion, where she grasped his hand and he then placed her hand on Mom's. He was an extra in the movie "Shallow Hal". He created several oil paintings which still adorn our homes. He outlived countless pets and his two favorite dogs, Tigger and Ginger. He organized a group of friends to buy a North Myrtle Beach condo which he called "his baby" and enjoyed that for decades. He taught us to swim in the ocean surf and to embrace music. He once fell trying to beat our preacher in tennis, fractured both forearms and never told anyone. It was this natural strength and stubbornness that helped him survive lymphoma, two heart attacks, melanoma, a stroke, heart failure, and macular degeneration and still live to see his 90th birthday. And beat COVID. Twice. Despite significant vision problems and severe hearing loss he continued to enjoy music until the moment of his passing, surrounded by his family at his bedside. He will be forever remembered as "the piano man" who volunteered his time and talent two days a week for thirteen years to entertain and soothe the many people who pass through the lobby of Novant Hospital with his music. His last words were "let's get this show on the road." He is a descendant of farmer and Revolutionary War Patriot Casper Branner and his wife Catherine, circa 1750. He is survived by his loving wife Christine Viona Hairr, son William Arthur Branner, III (Toni), daughters Victoria Christine Willingham (Dave), Patricia Elaine Welch (Pete) and Rebecca Viona Ruth Branner, and nephew Pastor Gil Gilbert. He will forever be in the hearts and minds of his ten grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Praise be to God for a life well lived! We will see you again in Heaven. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider a donation to The Charlotte Piano Teachers Forum at www.charlottepiano.org. Visitation Friday, September 2, 2022 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tribute & Tallent Funerals & Cremations 1937 N. Sharon Amity Road Charlotte NC 28205 United States 7045671500 Celebration of Life Saturday, September 3, 2022 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Sardis Presbyterian Church 6100 Sardis Rd. Charlotte NC 28270 United States 7043661854 http://www.sardis.org/ Graveside Saturday, September 3, 2022 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM Sharon Memorial Park 5716 Monroe Rd Charlotte NC 28212 United States xxxxx