Bill Brannigan

Tupelo - William Patrick Brannigan, Jr., 58, died Monday, October 6, 2008, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. A Chicago, Ill. native, he was born May 28, 1950 to William Patrick and Loraine Von Leschner Brannigan. He was a graduate of Western Illinois University and taught school earlier in life. He moved to Tupelo 21 years ago in order to take a job with Tupelo Fiber, a division of Leggett and Platt as plant manager. He married Kathy Brannigan September 8, 1977. Because of his enjoyment of juke boxes and pinball machines, he opened his own business, Jukes and Toys. He was known for building and repairing all kinds of things. He loved spending time with his two grandsons. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Bert Harper officiating. His brother, Jack, will deliver a eulogy. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park.

Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Kathy Brannigan; two sons, Billy Brannigan and wife, Avery, of Tupelo and Ryan Branningan and wife, Madeline, of Valdosta, Ga.; two grandsons, Hunter and Tanner Brannigan; one brother, Jack Brannigan of Northfield, Il.; two sisters, Patti Boender of Lansing, Ill. and Nancy Gutzeit of Brookfield, Wisc.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers will be Dorsey Spicer, Ed Buggs, Joe Bell, James Harris, George Smith and Rick Crone.

Honorary pallbearer will be Speck Mansell.

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.