If there's one family that truly lived out the phrase "all under one roof," it's the Putmans. Long before reality TV made them famous, Bill and Barbara had already created something special. A family legacy that became a national topic when TLC's Meet the Putmans premiered in 2017. The show featured four generations living in one home. Their beautiful story showed that strong family connections can still thrive in today's world.
Even when the cameras stopped rolling, the family continued to share their lives on YouTube through their channel Growing Up Putman. Then, in September 2025, a horrible car accident claimed the lives of Bill and Barbara Putman and their daughter-in-law, Megan Putman. But their message of faith, strength, and family continues on through their children and grandchildren.
In this article
The Putman Family Tree
1st Generation: Bill and Barbara Putman
Bill and Barbara Putman's marriage in 1982 marked the beginning of the Putman legacy and the heart of Meet the Putmans. Bill was the leader of their family, always admired for his calm strength and calming faith. Barbara had an abundance of kindness and humor and was referred to as the best glue anything could ask for.
Just days after celebrating with Bill on his 65th birthday, Bill, Barbara, and Megan, their daughter-in-law, passed away in September 2025.
Just before Barbara passed, she posted a loving picture with Bill on Instagram. She called him "my best friend" and "a blessing,". She was thankful for his steady love and strong faith in Christ. Together, Bill and Barbara raised four children: Billy, Brandon, Blake, and Blair. All are now married with families of their own.
Elder son: Billy and Jennifer Putman
Billy Putman, the oldest son of Bill and Barb Putman, was born in August 1983. He works in the family business of Putman Developing and Demolition, and married Jennifer in January 2006.
They have 4 daughters:
- Izzy (Isabelle Marie) Putman, graduating from high school in 2025, considers studying medicine.
- Abby Putman
- Addison Putman
- Gabby Putman
Billy and Jennifer's girls embody the same work ethic and faith they've witnessed through Bill and Barb's example.
2nd son: Brandon Putman & Kacie Putman
Brandon is the second son of Bill and Barb Putman, born in July 1986. Brandon married Kacie almost 20 years ago; their 19th wedding anniversary was celebrated in May 2025.
They have five daughters:
- Emma Putman
- Bella Putman
- Mya Putman
- Nova Putman
- Gia Putman
Their youngest, Gia, was injured in the 2025 crash but is recovering with faith and medical support. The family recently shared this on Instagram: "It’s amazing how God’s hand is on her! Her brain pressure has gone down significantly, and it’s been amazing to see her healing every step of the way.”
3rd son: Blake & Megan Putman
Blake, born in May 1988, received his medical degree from Ross University in 2014 and is currently a family doctor in Caro, Michigan. He married Megan in 2012, and together they had four children:
- Mercy Putman
- Noah Putman
- Lulu Putman
- Alena Putman
Megan was known for her kindness, creativity, and love. She tragically passed away in the 2025 accident along with Bill and Barbara.
Noah, Lulu, and Alena also sustained injuries but are making progress in healing. The family said, "Noah is still sedated, but he is providing with movement. Every little movement we see is a reminder to us that God is working and listening to our prayers."
4th song: Blair & Jamie Putman
The baby and only girl, Blair, was born in October 1990 and married Jamie Putman in 2013. Jamie is a family doctor and took her last name.
Blair and Jamie have kids, too:
- Jonah Putman
- Elijah Putman
- Solomon Putman
Blair and Jamie still post updates and encouragement through Growing Up Putman to keep in the unique spirit of the Putman family: joyful, fun, and full of faith.
The 2025 Tragedy
In September 2025, the Putman family suffered a horrific car crash, killing Bill and Barbara Putman and their daughter-in-law, Megan.
Their family shared a touching message on Instagram: "I come to you with a heavy heart, asking for your prayers. Our family met with a tragic accident, and we lost Papa, Neenee, and Aunt Megan. They have gone home to be with the Lord."
They also asked for prayers for the recovery of Blake, his kids Noah, Lulu, and Alena, and Gia, Brandon, and Kacie's youngest daughter. While devastated, the family would also say: "Even in this time of heartbreak, we rest in knowing that God is in control.”
How to Make a Similar Family Tree?
Now that you’ve seen the Putman Family Tree, you might be wondering how to make one for your own family. Don’t worry! It’s easier than it looks. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a beautiful family tree ready to share in no time.
- Choose a scope: Figure out how many generations you want to include. Do you want to include just your immediate family, your extended family, or several generations?
- Gather correct information: Write down the names, birthdays, marriages, and other important information for everyone you want to include.
- Choose a layout: Based on how many people are in your family, decide if you want a vertical, horizontal, or circular family tree.
- Select a tool: Use apps or software to make things easier. You can make, organize, and see a family tree with software like EdrawMind.
- Plan for future changes: Families grow and change, so pick a format that makes it easy to add or change things.
Steps to Make a Family Tree
After collecting all the important family details, the next step is to create your family tree. I chose the Wondershare EdrawMind, a free tool to build the Putman family tree. Here’s how you can make it:
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Step1 Create a New File & Add Title
- Open Wondershare EdrawMind.
- Click Create at the top-left corner.
- Select Blank Mind Map to start with a clean canvas.
- Upload an image for the title “The Putman Family Tree”.
Step2 Add the Founding Couple
- Click the main node and add the founding couple (Bill Putman and Barbara Putman).
- Use a ring or a marriage symbol to show they are married.
Step3 Add Their Children
- From the couple, create branches for each child: Billy Putman, Brandon Putman, Blake Putman, Blair Putman
Step4 Add Spouses and Grandchildren
- For each child, add their spouse (Jennifer, Kacie, Megan, Jamie).
- Then, branch out their children (Izzy, Emma, Mercy, Jonah, and so on).
- Keep the structure balanced for easy reading.
Step5 Customize the Design
- Use the floating or right side toolbar to change node colors to highlight each branch.
- Use icons to make it more lively.
- Add soft background colors and adjust spacing for a neat look.
Step6 Save or Export Your Family Tree
- Click File on the top menu.
- Choose Save to keep your file.
- Use Export to download it as an image (PNG, JPG) or PDF.
Wrapping Up
The Putman family’s story is about love, faith, and staying strong together. From Meet the Putmans to Growing Up Putman, they showed how family life can be joyful and united.
The 2025 tragedy was heartbreaking, but their legacy continues through their children and grandchildren. Their journey reminds us that family bonds never fade.
If you want to honor your own family story, making a family tree is a wonderful way. With EdrawMind, you can create a clear, beautiful tree that grows as your family grows. It’s simple, meaningful, and the perfect way to keep your story alive.
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