William F. Brand

Colonel William F. Brand, Jr., (USA-Ret) passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2011. Colonel Brand was born in Salem, VA on January 10, 1919. He graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in June 1935. He attended Virginia Military Institute, graduating with a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1939. He went on to Pennsylvania State University graduating there in 1940 with an M. S. degree in Organic Chemistry. After working briefly with Celanese Corporation of America he was called to active duty in the U.S. Army as a Field Artillery Second Lieutenant in early 1941. In October 1942 he was granted a commission in the Regular Army and made the Army his career for the next 31 years, retiring in 1972 as a Colonel. Army decorations include the Legion of Merit with two clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal with 12 clusters, and numerous campaign ribbons. He attended Branch and Combined Arms schools including the Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College and the Army War College. During his Army service he served in Europe twice, in the Pentagon twice and in Southeast Asia twice. In Europe during WWII, his combat unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation twice once for the defense of St. Vith, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge and then for the capture of the bridge over the Rhine River at Remagen, Germany, in March 1945. During his second tour in Southeast Asia, he was commander of the 1st Air Cavalry Artillery in Viet Nam. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, he worked for his brother, Cabell, at the Stuart McGuire Company in Salem and later the Home Shopping Network. He was inducted into the Andrew Lewis High School Hall of Fame in 1990. Predeceasing him in death were his parents, Gerald and Ruth Brand of Salem; his wife of 54 years, Yvonne of Hoenheim, France; his daughter, Betsy; a sister and a brother. Surviving him are his wife, Tickie of Tyler, TX; a son Billy and daughter-in-law, Janet of Salem; a son Bobby and daughter-in-law Debby of Myrtle Beach, SC; a brother and sister-in-law Cabell and Shirley Brand of Salem; a sister and brother-in-law Mary Holmes and Fred Smith of Alexandria, VA; a son-in-law Larry and wife Colette of Hershey, PA; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren with special mention of deceased daughter, Betsys three sons Tommy, Stephen and Andrew; several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be private. The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at John M. Oakey and Son, Salem, VA. In lieu of flowers it is suggested that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Betsy Nelson. Arrangements by John M. Oakey and Son, Salem, VA 540-389-5441.