Died at his residence in this city, on the 30th of March, after a lingering illness, Colonel William A Branner, in the 41st year of his age. The deceased was born at Dandridge, in Jefferson County, Tennessee on the 6th of July, 1824.

Chronic diarrhea and serious bronchial difficulty admonished him for months that his days were rapidly drawing to a close. For twenty weeks he was confined to his room so that, although the announcement of his death came as a surprise to many, his friends were prepared for this result of his sickness.

Colonel Branner moved to this city seven years since and by his honest and upright demeanor, he gathered around him many and true personal friends. They respected him for his frankness and integrity and sympathize with his relatives in this their hour of trial. He was cut apparently in the midst of his years, leaving a wife and three children to mourn their loss. The deceased was buried with Masonic honors. A kind husband and father, a humane and upright man, a true and generous friend – general respect for his memory was manifested at his funeral.

Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, Wednesday, May 31, 1865

Transcribed by Robert McGinnis and used with permission.