BILL BRANDT

1942 - 2025

Bill was born the second child to Bonnie and Henry Brandt in 1942 in Compton, California.
He is survived by his wife, Dee Brandt; his daughters Kathleen Peters (Monte Peters) and Maureen Cain; his son, Carl Brandt; his grandchildren Heather Sparks and Abigail Peters; and his siblings Jim Brandt (Diane Brandt) and Ellen Cook (Terry Cook).
He gave unconditional love to his family, enjoyed life, focused on wisdom over wealth, and believed wholly in God's love for all of us.
After high school, Bill joined the Air Force where he went to Atomic Weapons School and went on to become a medic, delivering more than 2,000 babies during the Vietnam war.
After serving his country, he attended Woodbury College and followed his passion for baseball by joining the Minnesota Twins Farm Team. Before his career in baseball ended he had the opportunity to pitch for Willie Mays.
He married Sharon, worked in business and, in 1972, brought his son, Carl, into the world.
Time moved on, life changed and, in April 1975, Bill married Doris Elaine (Lake) Kennedy, who he lovingly called "Dee." He became "Pop" to her two daughters. Firm in his values, in his love of God, Bill embraced 1 Corinthians 13, Love is patient, love is kind... It is not irritable … it does not rejoice in wrongdoing… it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things … love never ends. Bill made this promise to Dee (and her daughters) more than 50 years ago.
Dee and Maureen joined him on a move to Sonora in 1978 and invested in a gold mine concession in Columbia, California. When Dee's parents became ill, they moved to Massachusetts, where he worked in marketing for local companies.
After nine years, they moved back to Sonora. Upon returning, he served as executive marketing director for the Sonora Improvement Association.
Bill worked hard, enjoyed life, and had a playful heart. He loved to sing with his family and was a member of the Calvary Chapel Sonora worship team, was a master golfer, enjoyed woodworking, was a decent pool player, and played a mean game of volleyball and softball.
Most importantly, God guided his life, he was loving, thoughtful, kind, and dependable. His life was well-lived, full of love and joy.
Services will be held at Calvary Chapel Sonora at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.