Wayne “Red” Branson

SIDNEY— Wayne “Red” Branson, 77, of Sidney passed away at 2:30 p.m. Sunday (April 14, 2019) at Newman Rehab, Newman.

Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2019, at Freese Funeral Home, Sidney, with the Rev. Barry West officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be private at a later date.

Mr. Branson was born Dec. 4, 1941, in UrbanaTownship, a son to Donald and Ruth Pheris Branson. He married Judith Williams on June 24, 1961; she preceded him in death on Dec. 26, 2014.

Surviving are four children, Daniel (Kathy) Branson of St. Joseph, Donald (Kelley) Branson of Champaign, Douglas (Carrie) Branson of Springfield and Teri (Mike) Brann of Sidney; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Donald “Butch” Branson and Roger Branson.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Tami Spilman, and his parents.

He retired from Carpenters Local 703 and Champaign County Highway Department.

He was very involved in racing. He worked on or raced Midgets, Sprint Cars and Champ Cars. He was fortunate enough to be able to race the same car his dad had raced.

After becoming a grandpa, his focus changed to the grandchildren, attending their sporting events and their other activities. He enjoyed Unity and Illinois sports. He was a member of Sidney Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

Memorials may be made to Unity Bass Fishing Team.

Champaign News-Gazette 4/16/2019