William Brown, Jr.

William J. (Bill Brown), beloved husband, father, grandfather, (Pop Brown), great-grandfather, age 86, passed away Sunday, January 10 at Emeritus at Tuskawilla, where he resided for the past five years, proudly delivering mail to individual residents until immediately preceding his death. Bill was born on July 21, 1923 in Ashtabula, Ohio to William J. Brown and Desta Shay (both deceased). He had two brothers and one sister. He is survived by one brother Donald, who resides with his wife Barbara in Madison, Ohio. He was preceded in death by brother, Dr. Harold R. Brown; and sister Noreen Brown McQuoid Welch. Bill graduated from Ashtabula High School in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in January of 1943 where he served as a Drill Sergeant until accepted into Officer Candidate School in December of 1944. He was very proud of becoming a "90-day Wonder" and after being promoted to 1st Lieutenant, served in the Pacific in Saipan and Oahu, as a General Supply Officer. He received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Bill married his devoted wife Joann (Jo) Williams on September 5, 1943. They enjoyed life together for 51 years until Joann preceded him in death on July 30, 1994. After completing his service in 1947, Bill and Joann moved back to Ashtabula to begin his life-long career as a Sales Manager in the Automobile Industry. Bill worked many years for Calendar Chevrolet, and was co-owner of Dewey Brown Plymouth, in Ashtabula, with good friend Ned Dewey. Bill also served one term as Councilman-at-Large in Ashtabula, prior to relocating to Kent, Ohio in 1962. After eleven years in Kent, Bill and Jo relocated to Florida in 1973. Bill continued to work in sales until suffering a major stroke which forced him to retire in 1983. Bill enjoyed many activities including boating, water skiing, league bowling, golfing, traveling with Joann on various trips he had won while working in the car business. He was active in the Ashtabula and Kent Elks Clubs where he was a member of the Ohio Elks Past Exalted Rulers Association. He was also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. After Jo's death in 1994, Bill was married to the former Winifred Osman . They lived in Eustis and enjoyed traveling to visit both his family and his extended Osman family prior to Win's death. Bill is survived by his devoted family including his daughter Sandra Brown Hill, son William J. Brown III, son-in-law John J. Hill, daughter-in-law Betty Shaw Brown; his grand-children: William Jeffery and Margaret Ann Brown, The Ranch Lands of Winter Springs, Bradford Todd and Betsy Kay Brown of Winter Park, Florida, Chris and Laurie Hill of Anthem, Arizona, Michael and Margarita Hill, Trish and Bobby Miller, and Melissa Hill of Atlanta, GA. Great-grand-children include Megan Ruth and Taylor Marie Brown of Florida, Amanda, Christen, and Chelsea Hill of Anthem, AZ, Martina Hill, and Kayla and William Klein, and Grace Miller of Atlanta; sisters-in law Anna Williams of Chagrin Fall, Ohio, and Carol Williams Wickersham of Pontiac Michigan, as well as 13 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held in the home of son and daughter-in-law Bill and Betty Brown of Casselberry, FL on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all donations or memorial gifts be made to the Hospice of the Comforter, 480 West Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL 32717. www.hospiceofthecomforter.org DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory (407)695-CARE (2273)

William Brown, Jr.

July 21, 1923 - January 10, 2010