William “Billy” Duke Branch, 78, of Suffolk, Va., passed away on Oct. 21, 2012. A native of Princess Anne County, Va., he was the son of the late James L. Branch I and Leila Shannon Branch. He retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where he was a boiler maker. Billy was a member of the Brethren.

He is survived by his daughter, Rita Ann Branch; three sons and daughter-in-law, John David Branch, William Thomas Branch and wife, Charlette, and James L. Branch II; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and the mothers of his children, Alice Faye Wiggins and Gloria Parrish.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery in Portsmouth, Va., with Tim Fearington officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.