William "Bill" Bratton, 81 passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, surrounded by family at his home in Grand Prairie. Memorial service: after the first of the year. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 2045 S.E. Green Oaks, Arlington, Texas, 76018, or at www.sa-umc.org. Bill was born on June 17, 1935, in Abilene to Robert Arthur and Cleo Bratton. Bill served his country in the U.S. Army and then transitioned to a career supporting the troops with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service in the engineering department. His career spanned 25 years, and included two tours in Germany, one in California and one in New Jersey. Bill was an active member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Arlington where he was affectionately known as "Grumpa." He was the construction manager during the building of the church's education wing and was often found volunteering to serve lunch to Bowie High School students or fixing snacks for Vacation Bible School students. Continuing to think of others, Bill donated his body to UT Southwestern Medical Center for research. He was preceded in death by his parents, RA and Cleo Bratton, and sister, Wanda Jean Bratton. Survivors: His wife, Mary Ann Bratton; daughter and son-in-law, Brandi and Glen Bueker; and grandchildren, Sahara and Kaden Bueker.