After nearly 50 years of marriage, Floyd and Billie Braun are reunited in heaven with their savior Jesus Christ.
Floyd passed away unexpectedly at home on August 16th, 2022, just days shy of his 82nd birthday. Billie peacefully joined him at home on November 28th, 2023, at the age of 83.
Floyd was born on August 20th, 1940, in Ambrose, North Dakota, to Lester and Ethel (Robinson) Braun. Raised in Wadena, Minnesota, he graduated as Valedictorian from Wadena High School in 1958. He attended the University of Minnesota for two years and graduated from Moorhead State College in 1964. Floyd’s first visit to Alaska in the same year, marked the beginning of his deep love forthe state. It was there that he met the love of his life, Billie.
Billie Ruth Braun was born on October 26th, 1940, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to William Boring and Annie McCain. Billie spent her childhood traveling between Oklahoma andAlaska until she madeAlaska her permanentresidence after obtaining her GED. Her early experiences cooking on the railroad and working in construction with her mom fostered her passion for the outdoors and love for art.
Floyd and Billie were married on December 31, 1972, and soon after were blessed with their daughter, Lyndsey and homesteaded in Moose Pass, Alaska.
During their time in Alaska, Floyd operated a successful construction business and owned a commercial salmon fishing site in Bristol Bay. Billie, with her dual talents as a florist and an artist, allowed her love of nature to shine through every brushstroke in the paintings she created. Billie also actively participated in commercial fishing alongside Floyd, while they lovingly raised Lyndsey.
In 1987, the family made the move to the island of Vashon, Washington. Floyd continued his construction business and the family returned to Alaska for many years to engage in commercial fishing. While Floyd’s family was his heart, hunting and fishing spoke to his soul. Countless trips to Montana and Alaska provided opportunities to revel in the great outdoors and create priceless moments with his daughter, nephews, and friends. Billie worked part-time as a florist on Vashon, but, like Floyd, her joy was found in caring for their family. She took great pleasure in sharing her love and knowledge for gardening, nature and art with others.
Together, Floyd and Billie forged a legacy of love, family, and adventure. They regarded their friends as family, and their faces would light up with joy whenever people were around, wholeheartedly sharing whatever they had. The memories of their warmth and generosity will foreverreside in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known them. May they rest in eternal peace, reunited once again.
Floyd and Billie are survived by their daughter, Lyndsey Braun, and her husband, Jim; sisters, Delores Monical, Mary Lynk (Russ), and Joyce Orbeck (Jerry), along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. They are preceded in death by their parents, Billie’s daughter Brenda, and sisters and brothers-in law Robert and Phyllis Wilkening and John Monical.
A celebration of life will take place on January 6th at 1:00 pm at Bethel Church (14736 Bethel Lane SW, Vashon, Washington 98070), followed by a reception with hors d’oeuvres at 2 pm. If you’re so inclined, please bring your favorite snack to share. For more details, please email office@bethelvashon.com.
