William Matthew Brandt

1933 - 2022

William Matthew Brandt
August 7, 1933 - December 14, 2022
Olympia, Washington - William (Bill) Matthew Brandt was born August 7, 1933 in Kingston, New York. He died December 14, 2022 in Olympia, Washington. He was born to Edith and John Bach. Edith and John divorced and Edith remarried Roger Brandt and Roger adopted him in his early teens. Bill married JoElla Cash in 1952. JoElla preceded him in death in 1993.
A Celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 21, 2022 at The First United Methodist Church in Olympia, WA. Lunch will follow at The Olympia Yacht Club. He was a member of The First United Methodist Church in Olympia, WA.
Bill is survived by two children, Lynnette McCarty (Daniel) and Cynthia Brandt (Fred). He is also survived by four grandchildren: Kirstin Holstrom, Megan Healy,(Ryan) Daniel Bowen and Leah Oliver (Josh), and five great grandchildren: Madeline and Grace Holstrom, Margaret and Eloise Healy , Ethen, Corbin and Vash Oliver, all who live in Olympia, Washington.
He is survived by one brother Lee Brandt (Sheela) from Ceres, California and his niece Patti Kenealy, from Olympia.
Bill held a Masters in Finance and worked in the banking industry his entire career. He was the CEO of WSECU for 20 years from 1981 to 2000. Bill's influence and contributions to the credit union can't be overstated. He led WSECU through a period of significant change and growth from 1981 to his retirement in 2000. During this window, the credit union grew from 40,000 members and $52MM in assets to 105,000 members and $668MM in assets, before handing leadership over to Kevin Foster-Keddie (2000-2019). This was a period of branch expansion to several new cities, the introduction of early automation and the use of technology in daily work, offering member scholarships, the implementation of our first ATM and first debit card, and the expansion of our field of membership to more groups beyond state employees, to name just a few highlights and milestones.
Bill remained a champion of WSECU over these last two decades, often visiting Olympia area branches and was a regular at the annual board holiday party. He remained an important voice of counsel to leadership through big events, such as the decision to build a new headquarters building in 2009.
Bill lived a full, rich life and loved his family and his community. He was a Navy Veteran serving on the island of Oahu from 1951-1955 at the end of the Korean War. He loved to sail and was the proud owner of The Suva schooner for over 15 years. He spent time collecting Hawaiian stamps, wood carving, and loved to be in his shop making something or puttering. He was able to do some traveling and loved his adventures when he did. Bill was a part of many local organizations over the years, where he actively supported their work in the community.
He spent much time with his good friend Lynda Eich over the past years. The Boston Harbor Community was home to him and he looked forward to Friday night gatherings with his friends there. After his retirement, he spent several years living on Maui and was a member and daily participant of the Kihei Canoe Club there. He will have an ash ceremony on Maui in February of 2023.
A family graveside ceremony will be held later this Spring.
In lieu of flowers please offer a donation to the Kihei Canoe Club where he enjoyed many years on the Island of Maui. Send donations to 59 South Kihei Road, Maui, HI 96753.
Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life!" (John 5:24).