William "Pop" T. Brandon

The birth of William "Pop" Brandon Sr. born to the late Zanny and Barbara Ann Brandon. William succumbed to complications from a stroke on September 28, 2022.

William attended Calvert Hall (1986-88), Patterson Senior High (1988-90) and graduated from CCBC of Essex External Diploma Program (1997). William was a sharp tool in the toolbox and that allotted him to become the first student in the history of the External Diploma Program to complete the program in six months. William later went on to marry his Commodore John Rogers Elementary School # 27 sweetheart Maray Brandon (July 7, 2001). Out of this union four handsome sons and a beautiful daughter were born; William Jr., Shambre, Kaon, Amari and Akil Brandon.

"Pop" as he was so affectionately called entered the workforce at the tender age of 14; landing his first job at Taverna Athena Greek Restaurant @ Harbor Place (1986-91), Kim's Corner Store (1992), City Lights Restaurant (1992-97) and Baltimore City Public School System (formerly known as Southern High School renamed Digital Harbor High School (998-2022).

William "Pop" Brandon was very intelligent, loving, affectionate, friendly, giving, helpful, hardworking and very stubborn; a ball of humor. He could definitely turn your black cloud into rays of sunshine. He was a jokester and didn't care who he cracked a joke on. All was included in his amateur comedy. He got joy out of calling his daughter and saying "you ain't called your one and only father" or calling the grandboys little roaches. He was super excited about the birth of his two new grandbabies that arrived and being born. Unfortunately Pop Pop didn't get a chance to see Baby KJ. He was strong on keeping tabs on his sons. Pop was s phenomenal son, husband, father, Pop Pop, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin, son/brother/ grandson in law, co-worker, coach and most of all friend. He would take the time to call to check on his family and friends.

Pop love of sports as a young boy manifested into his life in a remarkable way. His sports interests were football and basketball. As a young boy he played football for Highlandtown Boys Club. he was left handed when it came to manuscript but as a strong guard he was known for his ambidextrous handling of the ball. He would walk from the twenty-two hundred block of East Fayette Street down to Lafayette or Oliver or Madison Recreation Centers to play basketball for the BNBL, AAU, Project Survival, Craig Cromway etc; he would sign up and participate in all the basketball leagues or tournaments. This passion led him to the name "Coach Pop". He coached his sons, hundreds of young boys and men for numerous years and the Digital Harbor Girls Badminton team for one yesr. Some of these young men have gone on to play college basketball, football. football, NBA and the NFL.

William loved cooking, manicuring lawns and family. His children, grandchildren and his siblings were the love of his life. His agape love for his wife Maray was a story book love that started from 5th (Maray) and 6th (Pop) grade. You would rarely see them apart; nothing or no one could separate the two of them but death. They would have kitchen cook offs, hot topic debates and he enjoyed helping his wife with her non-profit organization. They were a team; a true family man. The real life Bonnie and Clyde in a good way. William Pop, Coach Pop, Ziggy, Jughead, Fab 5 and Mr. B will truly, truly, truly miss you.

William "Pop" Brandon is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Bessie Weaver, paternal grandparents Thomas and Emma Brandon, parents William Z. and Barbara Ann Brando; brother Shawn Jenkins; aunt Margaret Brinkley; aunt Joann Brandon and nephew Raheem Ibn Bey (who he called Bear). He is survived by his loving and strong wife Maray Brandon; his five children, William Jr., Sham'bre (Deonte); Kaon (Titajah), Amari and Akil; four grandchildren, King, Grayson, Royal, and Kaon Jr.; three bonus grandchildren, Kiyan, Peyton and Harley (Lil Westside); four sisters, Angela Brandon, Yolanda Wheatley (Brian), Shawnta Player (Derrick) and LaTrisha Brandon; two brothers, Willis Brandon (Kozyne),and  Calvin Byrd; one great uncle Willie Goods (Eleanora); six aunts, Gloria Weaver, Doris Fowlkes (Tommy), Lorine Holly, Virgie Boone (Ronald), Gloria Farmer, and Priscilla; seven uncles, Leroy Weaver, Thomas Brandon (Hisoks), Harrison Brandon (Evangelist), Donald Brandon (Marvel), David Brandon (Jennie), Michael Brandon (Sonya), and Clyde Brandon; eight nieces Richanda, Tallyse, Keviyah, Demi, Aja, Shamiya, Kearra, and Denver.; eight nephews, Bryan Jeffreys (Courtney), Nateze Brandon, Willis Brandon Jr., Tyquan Brandon, Yahkeem Wheatley, Kahil Rich, Kai Harris, and  D'Arriz Farmer; mother-in-law, Janice Rich-Parham; father-in-laws, Mark Smith and Ralph Parham Jr.; grandmother and grandfather-in-law, Edward and Barbara Rich; two sister-in-laws, Saisha Parham, and Angela Lawrence; three brother-in-laws, Otis Rich (Tia), Ralph Parham, and Mark Smith Jr.; and an enormous amount of relatives. Pop had a large circle bestfriends but a special thanks goes to Anthony McCormick for enduring this journey from day one with his wife and children until the end.