William “Bill” Lee Branch

MEMPHIS - William “Bill” Lee Branch died at home on January 20, 2022 peacefully in his sleep. Bill was born on November 30, 1951 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and spent most of his life in North Little Rock. He was predeceased in death by his father, Leroy Branch, in 2000 and his mother, Mildred Ellis Branch, in 1977. He is survived by his husband, Martin Jellinek, and his sisters Rebecca Branch Adams of North Little Rock and Virginia Branch Hill of Ocala, Florida as well as nieces and nephews Scottie Adams of Bryan, Arkansas; Steven Hill of Ocala, Florida; Crystal Hill Hoffman of Citra, Florida; and Joseph Hill of Ocala, Florida.

Bill was an avid watercolorist. He was a member of Artist Link and Mid-southern Watercolorists and had numerous solo exhibitions in Memphis and in various locations in Arkansas. His artwork graced annual calendars and was donated to various organizations including the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee, Thistle and Bee, and The Church of the Holy Communion. He was a retired museum professional, having worked at numerous institutions including the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Arkansas; Dixon Gardens and Galleries; The National Civil Rights Museum; and Historic Arkansas Museum Little Rock.

He was an avid Christian and attended The Church of the Holy Communion Episcopal Church in Memphis as a choir member and active parishioner. He also sang in the choir at St. Mary Episcopal Cathedral and attended Calvary Episcopal Church. He loved gardening, dachshunds, and walking and visiting in his Cooper Young neighborhood.

Funeral services will be at Calvary Episcopal Church on January 29.