William A. "Bill" Braden Jr. 84, of the Heritage Park Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility, formerly of Homestead, Pa., died at 7:13 p.m. Saturday (March 6, 2010) in WCA Hospital.
A Jamestown-area resident since 2005, he was born April 8, 1925, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late William A. and Florence Kelly Braden Sr.
Bill attended the Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp. serving from July 13, 1942, to July 12, 1946, during World War II. During his tour of duty he had received the Purple Heart for being wounded in action. Following his honorable discharge he also served in the U.S. Marine Corp Reserves for three years.
Before his retirement in 1986 he was employed as a block operator for the Penn Central Railroad for 35 years.
He was a communicant of St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Munhall, Pa., and was a member of the Gen. Smedley D. Butler Post 701, American Legion in White Oak, Pa., the East McKeesport Marine Corp League, the Hilltopper Post 8430 Veteran of Foreign Wars in East McKeesport, Pa., and while living in Jamestown was a member of the Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion, Celoron, N.Y.
Surviving are two daughters Dale Braden of Jamestown, N.Y., Randy Warner of Fairport, N.Y.; three grandchildren Leanne (Chris) Calkins, Christopher (Julie) Morano both of Jamestown, and Jerry Warner of Fairport, N.Y.; and six great-grandchildren Teanna, Cyrus and Jaymin Morano, and Lacey, Samantha and Shane Calkins all of Jamestown.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife the former Rita McCue Braden whom he married July 30, 1949, and who died August 31, 1989; a sister Alice Henry; and two brothers Daniel and Earl Braden.
A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends for one half-hour prior to the service in the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Heritage Group, 3017 N. Main St., Jamestown, NY 14701.
