Tommy Willie Branch

Tommy Willie Branch, 57, passed away Jan. 26, 2022, from an unexpected heart attack.
Even though a failing heart took him away from this world, his loving heart made him a hero in the community he served for more than 30 years as a firefighter. He served as a battalion chief many of those years.
If he wasn't on a shift, he was working with DOT of Effingham County for 10 years. In recent years, Tommy was hitting the roads "hustlin', hustlin' " in his big truck hauling rock or sand for Lane Lee Construction and always making a point to blow his horn when he passed his grandson Ascher's school as a proud "Papa."
Tommy was a member of the Red Knights Bike Club for 14 years. He served as club president for numerous terms. He led the club in many fundraisers to help the community.
He loved NASCAR races, baseball and Georgia football. He was so happy this past season when his favorite NASC AR driver won, the Braves won the World Series and the Bulldogs took out the Tide for the national championship. Along with his love for sports, Tommy coached youth league baseball for many years with the Effingham Recreational Center. He touched lives in so many ways from the race track, fire crew, ball fields or wherever someone needed a hand.
His unique personality was only one of the things that people loved about him.
He leaves behind a wife, Nanci Branch; daughter, Nikki Thompson, and her precious husband, Matt; along with a handsome grandson, Ascher Branch Thompson; daughter, Caroline Hay, son, Jordan Hay, and his beautiful wife, Jessica; and four amazing grandchildren, Shelby, Joseph, Abigail and Avery.
Tommy also leaves behind his loving mother, Lois Bryant, and stepdad, Matthew; his sister, Saundra Dunn, and her wonderful husband, Paul; his closer-than-a-nephew Daniel Eason; great-nephews, Conner and Hayden Eason; along with his brothers from another mother, Lee Ciucevich, Bill Tate and Jeremy Beard.
Tommy was preceded in death by his father, Fred Branch; and his brother, Freddie Branch.
A special thanks to Effingham County Fire & Rescue, Clinton Hodges, Daniel Eason, Garden City Fire, Eric Holmes, Red Knights, Andy Crutchfield, Jacob Boswell, Mike Sefko Richard Tayton and all the others who made the procesession so special and to Lane Lee for the delicious food waiting for us afterward.
Sincerely,
Nanci Branch, Nikki Thompson, Jordan and Caroline Hay.