Jan 26, 2016

Obituary: Michigan’s Bill Braman

Willard H. “Bill” Braman died Jan. 16 in Greenville, Michigan. He was 91.

Braman, a long-time member of the Michigan fruit industry, was born in Grand Rapids on Feb. 4, 1924, to Oscar and Orpha Braman. He was raised on his parents’ fruit farm, five miles northeast of Grand Rapids. After his father’s death in 1932, his brother Russell provided a home and a living at the family farm for he and his mother. In 1947, Braman moved to Belding, Michigan, to another of his father’s orchards. This made it possible for him to get started by leasing and ultimately buying the orchard.

With the help of nine other fruit growers, Braman founded Belding Fruit Storage, now known as BelleHarvest Sales, in 1957.

The Michigan State Horticultural Society established its Trust Fund in 1985. Braman served on the committee for decades, and served as its chairman for many years. With his personal fundraising approach, he helped grow the fund over the years and gave generously of his time and personal resources. He gave direction to the investments of the fund, and during his years of service on the committee it grew to more than $1.3 million; as of 2015, the fund has given more than $1.3 million to fruit industry research.

In 2004, Braman contributed $10,000 to the Trust Fund in memory of his father and two brothers. He also served his community as president of the Buescher Charitable Foundation, chairman of the Investment Committee in the Greenville Area Community Foundation, and a volunteer with United Memorial Hospital in the Medicaid/Medicare Assistance Program.

The Michigan State Horticultural Society presented Braman the Distinguished Service Award in 2005, for his many years of dedication to the fruit industry and the Trust Committee.

“It is a wonderful experience to work with the many committee members, as well as to maintain the acquaintances of so many fine fruit growers and their families,” Braman said at the time.

He and his wife, Helen Braman, had five children, 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.