No one was a closer witness to this end-time Ministry than
Brother Billy Paul Branham, Brother Branham’s oldest son. For 14
years, as the traveling companion and personal secretary for his
father, he saw first-hand the operation of a prophetic gift, and the
sign that was sent to vindicate the man, the office, and the
ministry. He was present as thousands of people were healed. He
heard Brother Branham tell hundreds of visions, and then saw them
come to pass. In the words of his father, “God honored Billy Paul.”
Brother Billy Paul was born on September 13, 1935 to William and
Hope Branham. When he was two years old, both his mother and baby
sister, Sharon Rose, died of tuberculosis, just five days apart.
He was 11 years old when his father began the healing campaigns
that took him back and forth across the country and around the
world. When he was not in school, he traveled with his father, and
was even given an official ‘position,’ selling the books and tracts before each service.
One night in June of 1947 at Vandalia, Illinois, the Angel of the
Lord appeared visibly in the motel room where Brother Branham was
staying. With him were his son, Billy Paul, and his youngest
brother, Donny. The prophet asked the Angel if he could wake the
boys, so they could witness the angelic Presence that stood before
him.
The Angel said, “You can wake up your son, Billy.”
“When I grew older, I asked my dad, ‘How come the Angel of
the Lord let me see Him that night?’
I’ll never forget his reply. He said, ‘Because God called you
to work with me, son, and He wanted to make Himself manifested
to you.’ And I know that from that night in Vandalia on, no
matter where we were, I never had to wait to hear Dad say, ‘He’s
here.’ I could always tell when that Presence was near.
And today, I believe that same Angel of the Lord is encamped
about those that fear His Name.”
At 15, he was attending Bible school in Texas when his father
called and asked if he would like to travel with him to Africa. He
quit school and never looked back. For the next 14 years, he was
constantly at his father’s side. He was at every meeting, handing
out prayer cards to the sick, and at every service he would escort
his father on and off the platform, often when he was barely able to
stand after a long discernment line. He took care of Brother
Branham’s personal correspondence, and in 1961 he became
secretary/treasurer of the Branham Tabernacle and a member of the
board of trustees.
On December 18, 1965, he was traveling just ahead of his father’s
car at the time of the accident that would take Brother Branham’s
life. He cradled him in his arms as they waited for the ambulance,
and heard his father speak his final words on the way to the
hospital.
After Brother Branham’s passing, Brother Billy Paul became the
president of the newly-formed William Branham Evangelistic
Association. He has continued in that capacity, and through his
dedication to the furtherance of the Gospel and his commitment to
proclaim the Message of the Hour, the missionary and evangelistic
efforts of Brother Branham’s Ministry are now reaching into almost
every country around the world. He became the vice-president of
Voice Of God Recordings in 1981.
He and his wife, Sister Loyce, have two sons, William Paul Jr.
and David, six grandchildren, and one great grandson.