Willard Ernest Brown, Jr.

He was born in Goose Creek, Texas, on December 24, 1944, to Willard Ernest Brown, Sr., and Virginia Joyce Henson, the tiny premature twin brother to his tiny twin sister Sue. Back then the odds of surviving such a premature twin birth were not too promising, but Willard and Sue grew up just fine and were soon running through the house with their sisters, Cynthia and Kathy.

Willard joined the United States Navy after graduating high school and married the love of his life Josefina Yznaga. They traveled to many Naval stations over their first few years of marriage and were soon joined by a baby boy Willard, III, and two years later, a baby girl, Alison Teresa. When Willard separated from the Navy, he and Josefina settled down in the Baytown/Houston area to be near their families. Willard’s job as a machinist and mechanic for Armco Steel and then Applied Energy Services took them to Poteau, Oklahoma for several years, but they eventually were able to move back to Texas. They loved being with their families and Willard and Josie were well known for having many family barbecues at their home with Willard as the pit master.

He and Josie were married for nearly 40 years until her sudden and untimely death in 2007. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Alison; his sister, Cynthia, and his precious stepfather, Royce LeBleu, who was a loving, guiding presence in Willard’s life and family for many, many years. He is survived by his son Willard Ernest Brown, III and wife Carla of Del Rio, granddaughters Rachel and Maegan, and grandson Travis, sister Sue Gustafson and husband Victor, sister Kathy Harris, and sister Mary Ann McGuire, 9 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral service will be held at 10 am, Friday, August 15, 2025, at Navarre Funeral Home Chapel, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, Texas 77521.