William T. Brantley

'Tim' AUGUSTA, Ga. - Entered into rest Tuesday, December 7, 2010, Mr. William T. Brantley, 89, husband of the late Mrs. Johnnie Smith Brantley. Mr. Brantley was a former member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church. He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Mrs. Johnnie Smith Brantley of Davisboro. A combat veteran of two wars, Mr. Brantley served in both WWII and Korea, earning a Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars. He was retired from the Savannah River Site, where he was a Construction Supervisor for 35 years. Mr. Brantley was a member of both Carpenters' Local 537 in Aiken and Local 283 in Augusta. For many years, he also taught Carpentry in the evening to apprentices at the union hall and as a certified instructor at Augusta Technical School. Mr. Brantley enjoyed coaching youth baseball and was one of the original founders of Fleming Field on Lumpkin Road. An avid angler all of his life, he managed to find a way to catch fish in his later years, even though he could barely hold the rod and his eyesight had failed him. Being the oldest child, he was forced by the Great Depression to leave school at the tender age of 16 and support his parents and siblings by accepting a grueling job with the Civilian Conservation Corps, working in the Pacific Northwest. This experience left him with a tenacious work ethic. Years later, he would earn his diploma at the first opportunity. At every opportunity, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and they all loved their time spent with him. Family members include, sons, Walter Brantley (Sheryl) of Evans, David Brantley (Priscilla) of Pine Mountain, Ga and the late Wade Brantley, nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, brothers, Jack Brantley (Lora) of Decatur and Farris Brantley (Emily) of Charlotte, sister, the late Mildred Williamson (Joseph), brothers, the late Gene Brantley (Jerri) of Sandersville and the late Bob Brantley (Carolyn) of Stone Mountain, sister in law, Mae Prosser (the late Benion) of Davisboro, brother in law, Rev. George W. Smith (Carolyn) of Leichfield, Kentucky. A Funeral service will be held Friday, December 10, 2010 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Thomas Poteet and Son with Pastor David Shelton officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson's Foundation, 2708 W. Terrace Dr. Augusta, GA 30909. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, December 9, 2010, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com