William Hershel Bratton

William Hershel Bratton, 92 of Sheridan, Arkansas died at home August 31, 2012. He was born September 28, 1919 in Sheridan, Arkansas to the late Jewel and Mae Reynolds Bratton. Mr. Bratton served in the United States Army for 5 and half years during World War II and the Korean War with 40 and a half months of that time served in the Southwest Pacific during World War II.He graduated from the National Hardwood Lumber Inspectors' School in Memphis Tennessee, and worked as a Hardwood Lumber Inspector for 40 years. He was currently a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and also served as a deacon at Lost Creek and First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. He loved the Lord and his church and always lived as an example to others. Mr. Bratton, also known as "Daddy" to his girls and "PawPaw" to his grandchildren was an amazing man in so many ways! He was gentle yet strong, a humble man yet full of courage. His love of life and his love for his family could be seen by everyone that knew him. He always had a smile on his face that brought us so much joy.He was an avid sports fan and played short stop in baseball and tried to attend all sporting events his grandchildren participated in. He was preceded in death by his parents; Jewel F. and Mae Reynolds Bratton; brothers James and Evan Bratton; sisters Gladys Reeves and Loreze Waddle. Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years, Virgie Bratton; four daughters; Brenda Gray of Dover, Arkansas, Ellen (Bobby) Grooms of Omak, Washington, Barbara (Mark) Rice of Benton, Arkansas; Vicki (Vance) Blackerby of Grapevine, Arkansas; and a brother; Lester Bratton of Sheridan, Arkansas, 12 grandchildren and 22 great grand children, and a host of other family and friends that will miss him dearly. Visitation will be held Saturday September 1, 2012 from 5:00 P.M. to7:00 P.M., at Buie Funeral Home Sheridan, Arkansas. Funeral Services will be held Sunday September 2, 2012 at 2:00 P.M., in the chapel of Buie Funeral Home Sheridan, Arkansas with the Rev. Terry Williams and Rev. O Jay Ramick officiating. Interment will follow at Lost Creek Cemetery, Sheridan, Arkansas.