William Brancke

WILLIAM  CHARLES  “BILL”  BRANCKE,  80

William Charles  “Bill” Brancke, age 80, of Winter Haven passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Bill was born July 20, 1936 in Harborcreek, PA to the late Carl and Ellen Skinner Brancke; he was a 1954 graduate of Harborcreek High School before joining the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 22 years including a tour in Vietnam. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, he worked at Erie Strayer for a number of years.

Bill was preceded in death by his son, William Carl Brancke; sister, Charlotte Griffin; and brother, Carl R. Brancke. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Priscilla Bryson Brancke; three daughters, Pamela Guenther and her husband, Leigh of Winter Haven, Carol Rupp and her husband, Alan of Raleigh, NC and Kate Keene and her husband, Chad of Charlotte, NC; a daughter-in-law, Jackie Brancke of Lakeland; eleven grandchildren, Chris Brancke, Adam Welch, Bryan Brancke, Jason Welch, Chris Rupp (Maria), Brandon Miller, Gabrielle Brancke, Mackenzie Miller, Holly Rupp, Paige Keene and Matt Keene; two great-grandchildren, Ayden and Vale; brother, Jack Brancke (Donna) of Boca Raton; several nieces, nephews and extended family.