VALLEY FORGE, PA (9/7/16)—The Rev. William E. Brammer, 80, of Churchill, Pa., a past executive director of Rankin (Pa.) Christian Center, died March 26, 2016.

Brammer served as executive director of Rankin—one of American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ 16 Neighborhood Action Program Christian centers—from 1975 until he retired in 1998. He joined Rankin as director of its Neighborhood Organization department in 1973. Before that, he was pastor at North Hills (Pa.) Baptist Church, 1966-1973, and associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Parkersburg, W.Va., 1962-1966. He was a student pastor at Gorham (N.Y.) Presbyterian Church in 1959.

He was the husband of Wanda L. (Perdue) Brammer.

Brammer was born on Feb. 21, 1936, to Ira and Alma (Walker) Brammer. He grew up in Wayne, W.Va., and graduated from Wayne High School.

He graduated from both Alderson Broaddus University, Philippi, W.Va., and Colgate Rochester (N.Y.) Crozer Divinity School. In addition, he attended Marshall University, Huntington, W.Va. He was an American Baptist commissioned home missionary.

He is survived by his wife; sons, Richard and Larry; daughter, Marjorie, wife of Mikal Rains; and grandson, Mikal Rains II. He was predeceased by a son, David.

Services and internment were private.

American Baptist Home Mission Societies ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on leadership, discipleship and healing communities.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.