Billy Branch

Billy W. Branch SUFFOLK - Billy W. Branch, 53, of Suffolk, passed away July 28, 2009. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Edward and Delta Mitchell, John Linwood and Julia Branch, and stepfather, A. Fred Matthews. He retired as a machinery mechanic for Ingersoll-Rand in Greenville, Texas. Billy was a member of Wilroy Baptist Church and the Faith Seekers Sunday school class. His church outreach activities included serving as an usher, greeter, missions to Bluefield, W.Va., and Meals on Wheels. Billy is survived by his son, Douglas W. Branch of Windsor, Va.; mother and stepfather, Sylvia A. Mitchell Schlaffer and William J. Schlaffer Sr.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Cynthia A. Matthews (Charles) and Allison K. Wood (Jim) of Suffolk; brothers, Frederick S. Matthews (Angela) of Virginia Beach, Delray Matthews (Marie) of Carrsville, Va.; stepbrothers, William J. Schlaffer Jr. (Brenda) and Charles E. Schlaffer (Beth), both of Suffolk; special friend, Carol Ellis; lifelong friends, Archie, Margaret, Tommy and Donna Pruitt; host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and friends. A celebration of life service will be held today, July 31, at 11 a.m. in Wilroy Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Collins officiating. Burial will follow in the Nansemond Suffolk Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Suffolk Chapter, 760 Lynnhaven Parkway, Suite 201, Virginia Beach, VA 23452-7325 or Wilroy Baptist Church Building Fund, 306 Williams Road, Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com. The family would like to give special thanks to Carol, all the doctors, and nurses at Sentara Obici and Sentara Norfolk General who worked tirelessly to take care of Billy over the past year.