Bill Braman was born and raised on his parents' fruit farm which was five miles northeast of Grand Rapids,
After his father’s death in 1932, his brother Russell provided a home and a living at the family farm for
he and his mother. This taught Bill something about growing fruit. In 1947, he moved to Belding, Michigan
to another of his father’s orchards. This made it possible for him to get started by leasing and then
ultimately buying the orchard.
With the help of nine other fruit growers, Belding Fruit Storage, which is now known as Belle Harvest
sales was started in 1957. Belle Harvest is still in operation today. He contributes his success in part
due to the encouragement of his brothers and family. Bill and his wife, Helen, have five children.
The Michigan State Horticultural Society established its Trust Fund in 1985. Bill was appointed to the
Committee at that time and has continually, faithfully served on this committee as Chairman for many
years. With his personal fund raising approach, he has helped grow the Trust Fund over the years and has
given generously of his time and personal resources. Bill gives direction in the investments of the Fund
and during his years of service on the committee, it has grown to over $900,000 and the Trust has given
over $800,000 to research.
Family and community service is of the utmost importance to him. In 2004, Bill contributed $10,000 to the
MSHS Trust Fund in memory of his father and his two brothers. Bill says this was due because of the
encouragement of both his brothers and that the fruit business provided well for him. He also serves
his community in areas which include: President of the Buescher Charitable Foundation, Chairman of the
Investment Committee in the Greenville Area Community Foundation, and a volunteer of the United Memorial
Hospital in Greenville in the Medicaid/Medicare Assistance Program.
Bill has served 21 years as a member of the Trust Committee of the Michigan State Horticultural Society.
He said, “It is a wonderful experience to work with the many committee members as well as to maintain the
acquaintances of so many fine fruit growers and their families.”
The Michigan State Horticultural Society is please to present the Distinguished Service Award to Bill
Braman for his many years of dedication to our Industry and to the Trust Committee.