William "Bill" Branson Goswellen, Sr. passed away on Friday, April 15, 2016 from many health complications combined with a fall at his home earlier in the week. Bill was 71 years old, and a seven year lung cancer survivor. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on July 24th, 1944 and was the second son of Helen Rose Goswellen and Leonard King Goswellen.

Sometime later the family moved from Kansas City, MO to Arlington, VA. During his childhood he would spend his summers in Choptank, MD with his paternal grandparents and his uncle. He would spend his days fishing in the Choptank river. Other summers were spent with his maternal grandparents in Middleburg, Virginia.

Years later while living in Arlington, VA, he attended Washington Lee High School and met the love of his life, Bonnie Ann Pinkerton. After becoming High School sweethearts, they were married on Saturday, June 27, 1964. They had three children, Mary Ann Goswellen, William Branson Goswellen Jr, and Robert King Goswellen.

Bill was a loving husband and super dad! He always provided for the family while working at McArdle Printing Company for 37 years and retired as the 3rd shift superintendent.

Bill loved the outdoors and he passed his love for the outdoors to his two sons. Every weekend was an adventure for the family, with camping trips to Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, Outer Banks, North Carolina, Great Smokey Mountains, Lake Anna and Lake Brittle both in Virginia, Shenandoah River, Deal Maryland, or on the family property in Winchester, VA. Many weekends were spent on his Boat in Deal, MD, fishing for blue fish and spot. We didn't always catch fish but more than a few time the coolers where full and our arms were tired. To us, he was the greatest fisherman in the world!
He always loved being around animals and always wanted to bring them home with him. He had a passion for taking care of animals.

Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Leonard King Goswellen Jr, and his grandson Wayne Alan Goswellen.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie Ann Goswellen; sons, William Branson Goswellen Jr, (Lee) , Robert King Goswellen, (Susan ), and granddaughter Amber Rose Goswellen.

The family is not asking for any flowers or donations, but if you feel you must make a donation, please donate to your charity of choice.

We would like to thank our mom for taking such great care of our dad in his 7-year fight with Lung Cancer. Every time we would tell someone that he was diagnosed with Lung Cancer 7 years ago they were amazed. To everyone that shows two things; firstly, that my mom is a very loving, strong and incredible woman that took care of his every need for 52 years and secondly, that he truly loved his wife to go through all the treatments and at times almost daily doctor visits.

A special thank you also needs to be extended to all of the doctors and nurses at both Fauquier and Fairfax Hospitals (Trauma ICU) who provided exceptional care in his final days.

Dad we love and will miss you greatly, thank you for everything!

There will be a memorial service on Sunday, April 24, 2016, 2:00 p.m. at Baker-Post Funeral Home, 10001 Nokesville Road, Manassas, VA.

Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com

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