Billy Wayne Branum, 84, of Mobile, Alabama, former longtime resident of Atmore, Alabama, went to his eternal home on June 12, 2024.  He was born on October 8, 1939, in Greenville, Alabama, to Ralph Edward and Doris Griffin Branum.  He served in the Army and returned to Atmore, thereafter marrying the love of his life, Judy Vickery Branum, to whom he was married for 53 years.  Billy Wayne was a machinist by trade and an owner of Bell's Auto Supply until his retirement in 2004.  He was a member of First Baptist Church of Atmore and served in various leadership roles with the church over the years.  He loved all sports, and he never missed a single game, swim meet, or any other event of his daughter Bonnie's.   Billy Wayne was an outdoorsman; in his younger years, he enjoyed fishing and hunting, and in his later years, he parlayed that love into watching and feeding the deer in his yard and gardening.  He proved to be quite the gardener, too – no one grew a finer tomato than he.  Billy Wayne was also a master in the kitchen; he was known far and wide for his Christmas-time ginger snaps.  Perhaps his favorite role in life -- and one that he excelled at and cherished -- was being Papa to his granddaughter, Olivia.  He will always be remembered as a devoted family member and friend who showed up in times of need.

Billy Wayne is preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Ernest Boggan; his wife, Judy Vickery Branum; and his brother, Donald Edward Branum.  He is survived by his daughter, Bonnie Branum Minopoli, son-in-law Nicholas Minopoli, and granddaughter, Olivia of Mobile, Alabama; sister, Jewel Hadley of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and numerous other nieces, nephews and family members.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Atmore.  Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church of Atmore or Pilots for Christ.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.