William Anthony McBrayer, 79 passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on November 22, 2024 on the family farm. Bill was brought into this world with fireworks, being born on Independence Day 1945, also on the family farm. He is preceded in death by his parents, Shelby (PopShell) and Beatrice (Gran Mom Bickett) McBrayer, his beloved first wife, Rebecca (Goetz) McBrayer; brother Sonny McBrayer; two sisters, Pauline (Kenny) Coomes and Rita (Felix) Mudd; brother in law, Stephen Emmick.
Raised in Pellville Ky, Bill was taught the values of hard work and service while incorporating the importance of family and the word of God. Bill was the kind of man that made sure when you sat down at the dinner table, you took your ball cap off, blessed your food (so you wouldn’t choke), to be grateful of course, and where Sundays were for a day of rest. You’d often hear him remind you by saying, “Don’t work on Sundays unless the Ox is in the ditch and don’t push him in the damn ditch.” After graduating from Immaculate Conception in 1963, where he always bragged about graduating in the top 3 of his class. His family was always so impressed to hear that story, until they realized there were about 10 people in his class. He joined the National Guard where he served his great country for a 6 year term. Returning home, he ventured off into a career at NSA as a pipefitter for many, many years.
During these many years, he thrived in the county he loved, especially Pellville. Bill was one of the first members of the Hancock County school board and was responsible for the location and opening of South Hancock Elementary School. He also, along with Billy Stephens, traveled to Chicago to pick up Pellville’s first fire truck for the opening of Pellville Fire Station, where he was also a volunteer firefighter. Bill married his first wife Rebecca earlier in life but as life unfolded, Rebecca, passed away to her lord and savior. As time moved on, Bill met his second wife, Judith Ann McBrayer. Together, with their children, Anna and Christopher, they set out on a new journey, farming tobacco, corn, soybeans, sorghum, sweet corn and strawberries. Early in the mornings you’d catch Bill riding out on the three-wheeler to check his cattle. Upon entering his drive-way, you never knew if you’d be met by a cow or two blocking the way. Hanging on the fence is a much loved and faded sign that reads, “Don’t cross this field unless you can do it in 9.9 seconds, the Bull can do it in 10.” Bill also, with the help of his brother-n-law, Stephen Emmick, raised hogs for many years.
Bill loved to travel, taking his family with him all throughout back roads and backcountry, never taking a road twice, he knew all the best eatin’ spots within four hours of the house. However, nothing could compare to the church picnics he rarely missed or the Hancock County Fair corn dogs. He never missed a fair, participating in all the games, especially tug-a-war. He always made sure we all attended the Wednesday night crop prayer meeting that opened the fair. Bill loved farming and enjoyed teaching Chris and Anna everything he knew, even if it was how to turn a tobacco worm inside out or showing them how much fun it was to look for the pretty Morning Glories that grew so heavily out in the tobacco patch and chop them with a hoe. Bill was an avid visitor and player at the Schafer Camp Croquet Yard, where he loved showing off his grandson, Jacksen, spending hours there flapdoodlin’ until the sun set. Bill always enjoyed his time with his grandkids, Jacksen, Kate and Ben. They went on many adventures, catching monster fish or so the stories were told and often took Sunday drives.
Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Judy McBrayer; daughter, Anna Gillians (Timothy); son, Christopher Kramer; grandchildren, Jacksen, Kate and Ben Kramer. He is also survived by his loving sisters who helped spoil him rotten and always kept tradition with the ways of farm life; Elizabeth (William) Parker, Margaret (Anthony) Hall, and Regina Emmick, along with many nieces and nephews and their children whom he loved.
Bill’s family will receive friends for visitation on Monday November 25th, 2024 from 3pm-7pm at Gibson & Son Funeral Home in Hawesville, Ky. The funeral service will be held after a visitation from 9am-11am November 26th, 2024 at St. Lawrence Church, Knottsville, Ky. followed by his burial at St. Mary of the Woods in Whitesville, Ky. We’re going to miss the man in the cowboy hat and huge belt buckle. We will never forget all you’ve done for us.