Stephen Russell Branham was born October 2, 1948, at Des Arc in Prairie County, Ark., to Russell and Wanda Thomas Branham. He graduated from Des Arc High School in 1966 and was working as a salesman when he was drafted.

Branham was inducted into the U.S. Army at Little Rock, Ark., on February 14, 1969. Following basic training and advanced infantry training, both at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Branham deployed to Vietnam, arriving there on July 24, 1969. He served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, and was in Vietnam for fourteen months.

Branham was discharged from the Army on his return from Vietnam. In the years following his military service, he worked in sales management. He is now retired and living in North Little Rock, Ark.