William Aiken Brand

William Aiken Brand, 73, of Bedford, passed away on May 24, 2011 at Bedford Hills.

He was born in Springfield, MA on May 2, 1938 and had lived in Bedford, NH since 1983 after retiring from a lengthy career in the recycled paper-board industry. Bill loved to entertain at his home in Bedford, known to family and close friends as “Big Bill’s Beach & Barbeque.” He spent many hours modifying and racing cars over the years, drag racing and sports car club racing with much success in SCCA events. His favorite pastimes were entertaining the family and watching sports, especially NASCAR.

In his life: Family members include is wife of 50 years Gail (Root) Brand; three sons, Rusty Brand of Londonderry, David Brand of GA, and Tim Brand of Manchester; two daughters Lainie Fortin of Bedford and Jen Brand of Bedford, five grandchildren, David, Jamie, Caly, Ryan and Abigail; two sisters, Sue Warren of Keene, and Anne Wood of Charleston, MA; and a brother, Tracy Brand of Marco Island, FL.

There will be a gathering at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester on Friday from 11:00 AM to Noon with funeral services in the funeral home chapel at Noon. Committal services with military honors will follow at 2:00 PM in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen. For more information or to view and on-line Tribute, go to www.phaneuf.net