William C. Braid

William C. 'Neil' Braid, age 61 of Evening Shade, Arkansas, formerly of McLean, Illinois, died Sunday, September 27, 2009 at his home. He was born September 5, 1948 in Bloomington, Illinois to William Duncan and Mary Jane Lardin Braid. He was in the U.S. Army, received a BS in Animal Science from Western Illinois University where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and earned a Masters of Agriculture in Range Science from Texas A&M University. Also, he was a member of Western Ranch Managers, National Cattleman's Association and Bear Creek United Methodist Church at Evening Shade. He worked as a ranch manager in Orland, California; Heber, Arizona; Billings, Montana; Mescalero, New Mexico; Dayton, Wyoming and Van Horn, Texas.Neil Braid lived what he loved. He was passionate about his work and desired to excel in it while enjoying its challenges. Being horse back and managing the land, cattle, employees and general ranch operations on large ranches throughout the west provided a meaningful life for him, his family and friends. He developed his life's work in a way he could include his children and grandchildren at any time. All of us were exposed to beautiful places and people we would have never seen or known without Neil. He loved us all dearly and chose not to limit his love to set constraints, but instead to broaden our lives through his willingness to embrace life, wherever it took him. He loved his family, his friends old and new, his work, a good horse, a working dog and cattle. Mostly he loved the Lord and he knew Him as his Savior. He will be missed but he will remain in our hearts forever.He was preceded in death by his parents.Survivors include his wife, Beth Gilbert Braid; one son, Bryan Braid and his wife, Jodi, of Marion, Illinois; one daughter, Amanda Burton and her husband, Chris, of Edwards, Illinois; Sally Kinsell, the mother of his children; one brother, Thomas Braid of McLean, Illinois; one sister, Elizabeth Detweiler of Ft. Worth, Texas; 5 grandchildren, Elizabeth Burton, Rebecca Burton, and Leslie Burton of Edwards, Illinois, Billy Braid and John Braid of Marion, Illinois; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.On Monday, October 5, 2009 visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Funks Grove Church in Funks Grove, Illinois. Funeral Services will be at 3:00 p.m., followed by Graveside services.Memorial services will also be held Sunday, October 11, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at the Bear Creek United Methodist Church in Evening Shade with Bro. Blake Langston officiating. Brunch will follow the services. Arrangements by Qualls Funeral Home of Cave City.Honorary Pallbearers will be Buck Braid, Justus Detweiler, Wayne Fahsholtz, Frank Gilbert, Nathan Gilbert, Sid Goodloe, Lucas Gregory, John Jackson, Tim Martin and Larry Winstead.In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to:Legacy HospiceP.O. Box 9106 W. LocustSalem, Arkansas 72576 (Please put 'Neil Braid Memorial' on the check memo).Range Science Memorial Scholarship FundTexas A&M Foundation401 George Bush DriveCollege Station, TX 77840-2811(Please put 'William C. Neil Braid Memorial' on the check memo).Or you may donate to your local hospice.