Willis Lee Brainard

BRAINARD, W. (WILLIS) LEE Age 91, a longtime resident of Rio Rancho, NM, died Thursday, May 1, 2014. Lee was born in Bozeman, Montana on December 9, 1922, and spent many years in Chinook. Lee was a WWII Veteran, Army Air Corp, B-26 Flight Engineer. Lee spent the majority of his career as a teacher retiring from the B.I.A. in New Mexico. He taught classes in Meridian Idaho, Shiprock, Canoncito, and Albuquerque New Mexico. He, also, owned a fertilizer business in Pocatello, Idaho. Lee was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary; his oldest son, Nick Brainard; his brother, Richard Brainard of Chinook; and Erwin McGregor of Manhattan, Montana. He is survived by his children, Beth Meeks and life partner, Joe Kraft, and Dar Brainard and wife, Kathy, both of Rio Rancho; and eight grandchildren, Donnie Brainard and wife, Vikki of Albuquerque, Tom Brainard of Denver Colorado, Justin Meeks and wife, Laura of Albuquerque, Shannon Peterson wife, Jessie of Albuquerque, Karey Quintero and husband, James of Rio Rancho, Koleena Schmidt and husband, Tucker of Albuquerque, Tara Brainard and Alyssa Brainard of Rio Rancho. He is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren, all residing in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho. Military services will be held Monday, May 12, 2014, 12:45 p.m., at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. All are welcome. Please visit our online guestbook for Lee at . FRENCH - Westside 9300 Golf Course Rd NW 505-897-0300