W.R. "Bill" Braden... Age 89

Visitation: 2-4 pm Sunday September 15, 2019 at The Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home

Service: 11 am Monday September 16, 2019 at Green Valley Baptist Church of Osawatomie

Burial: Osawatomie Cemetery

Memorials: American Heart Association or Arthritis Foundation

send c/o Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home

P.O. Box 430

Osawatomie, KS 66064

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W.R. “Bill” Braden age 89 of Osawatomie, KS died Friday September 13, 2019 at Vintage Park of Osawatomie, KS.

Bill was born August 18, 1930 in Phillips, TX. He was the youngest of six children born to Porter & Etta Mae (McCoy) Braden. He grew up in Texas and graduated from Phillip, Texas High School in 1949. While in high school, Bill played football, basketball and ran track. He met his future wife and they dated for two years while attending high school.

Bill and Norma Tietz were united in marriage on February 23, 1949 at her parents’ home in Borger. The young couple made their home in Borger and became the parents of three daughters: Rhonda, Pamela and Lori. They remained in Borger for almost twenty years. Bill then transferred with Phillips Pipeline and they moved to Kansas in 1968 to settle in Osawatomie. While working for Phillips he was the President of the Union for the four state area.

Bill retired from Phillips after 35 years but went to work as an electrical inspector and traveled to Minnesota. After a couple years, he decided to work locally and went to work for AGC flat glass in Spring Hill as an electrician.

After fully retiring, Bill and Norma traveled in a camper all over. They frequented Lake Texcoma, where he enjoyed fishing and camping with family. Lake Kemp was a regular Braden family destination. He also enjoyed hunting with his son-in-laws.  Later, Bill and Norma built their dream home west of Osawatomie with the help of their son-in-law Rob Stifter. They were known for their holiday displays. Their home was one of the most beautiful of the season every year and many community members would make a special drive out to see their home. Bill and Norma hosted an annual Wiener Roast for about fifteen years in the fall that everyone looked forward to.

Bill loved sports. He liked to play golf. But his most favorite thing was to watch their grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. They traveled across the United States to watch them play and even traveled internationally to attend soccer games. He loved his family and would do anything for them.

Bill was a member of the Green Valley Baptist Church for years and cherished his church family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, of sixty-six years, his parents, son-in-law David Nelson in 1998, grandson Brian Nelson in 1999, and four brothers: Frank, Raymond, Jim and Wayne and one sister Betty.

Survivors include his daughters: Rhonda Nelson of Olathe, KS, Pamela (Rob) Stifter of Parker, KS and Lori (Rob) Bristow of Olathe, KS.  Six grandchildren: Monty Bishop, Michael Chenoweth, Karie Bishop, Lexie (Bristow) Murphy and Trey Bristow and five great grandchildren: Braden, Brilynn, Brendon, Brandon, Malachi and Evangeline plus one great great grandchild Leland along with many other family members and friends.