Willard Wells Brantley

Willard "Billy" Wells Brantley, 62, of Durham, NC, passed away at his home "the bunk house" Thursday, December 26th, 2024. 

Mr. Brantley was born in Alamance County on September 26th, 1962, to the late Willard "Bill" E. and Barbara Small Brantley. 

Mr. Brantley is survived by his son Brandon W. Brantley and fiancé Scotty Hughes Jr. of Clayton, NC; grandchildren Gresham and Oaklin Brantley; his sister Geneva "Jeannie" B. Ross and husband Marshall of Durham; nephews Thomas Ross and wife Cheyenne of Durham, Matthew "Matt" Ross and wife Sarah; great-nephews Granger and Charlie. 

Billy was a man of few words. He loved his dogs Penny and Peanut. He was an avid animal lover. 

Billy served as a Vol. Firefighter and EMT with Bethesda Fire Department for over a decade. He often spoke of those times, he cherished that experience and saw it as a duty. He didn't want you to call him a firefighter, he would correct you as he was a volunteer. 

He was an avid wood worker. He would work in his shop making different projects. He loved to build swings, and other patio furniture. He would often make items for his friends and family. He even made furniture for the Ruritan Club. He also loved mowing grass and tending to his lawn.  

Billy loved being an active member of the Ruritan Club at Lynn's Crossroads. He was fond of helping make the coleslaw for events. He always enjoyed talking and sharing stories with others. 

He passed on his love of history to his son Brandon. He often would share movies and documentaries he found interesting with his friends and family. 

Billy always had time to go to lunch with his friends and catch up. He especially enjoyed catching up with his good friends Jimmy, David, Kevin K., Kevin W., and Melanie. 

He worked at the Lake Shore golf course, where he grew a passion for golf. He would go to different courses with his nephews Thomas and Matt, his brother-in-law Marshall, and his Dad.  

He's back with his family and friends in heaven. He is catching up on the porch with his mom, dad, grandparents, Tony, C.L., and the other good friends and family that passed before him.

He will be forever missed by his family and friends. 

A visitation will be held Friday, January 3, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home Chapel.

Burial will follow at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Thomas Ross, Matt Ross, Jimmy Saunders, David Glenn and Roger Dean.

Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Lynn's Crossroads Ruritan Club.

Flowers are acceptable or donations in Willard's memory can be made to Lynn's Cross Road Ruritan Club, 4410 Carpenter Pond Rd, Durham, NC 27703 or local Animal Protection Society of Durham  https://www.apsofdurham.org/donate-to-the-annual-fund/