Mr. William Cecil Brown, 75, passed away peacefully Friday, November 4th at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville after a long courageous battle with cancer and with his loving family by his side. Born in Charlotte on May 3, 1936, he was the first born son of the late James Cecil Brown and Henrietta Stephens Brown. William grew up in the Derita area of Charlotte, attending Derita School and graduating from North Mecklenburg High in 1954. He joined the U.S. Navy and served 8 years in active duty and in the Navel Reserve. William met and married his bride of 51 years, Kay Dowell on February 6, 1960 and they lived in the Derita community until 1997 when they moved to the Mooresville area. He worked in the finance and trucking industry for years, retiring in 2000 from Freightliner of Charlotte.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Fred. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Kay; a son David (Jeannie) of Lincolnton; a daughter, Debbi Leonard, of Mooresville; five grandsons, Nicky, Noah and Landon Leonard, Josh and Reid Brown; two brothers, Jerry (Gerri), of Charlotte, Danny (Linda), of Mooresville; a sister-in-law, Linda Brown, of Charlotte and many other relatives, in-laws and friends.
William enjoyed gardening and working outside. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Kay, especially to the beach. His biggest love was his family and spending time with them, especially his five grandsons the past nine years. He also loved his church and was a lifelong member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church where he was a faithful and active member.
A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00AM, Tuesday, November 8th at Oak Grove United Methodist Church with his pastor and good friend, Rev. Robert D. Symanski officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Forest Lawn West Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5:30PM to 7:30PM at the Derita Chapel of McEwen Funeral Service, 6300 Mallard Creek Road.
The Brown family would like to thank neighbors and friends, their extended family members, friends and family of Oak Grove for all their help, love and support. Also the doctors and staff at Lakeside Family Physicians (Dr. Robert Bundy), Lake Norman Oncology (Dr. Richard Krumdieck), Lake Norman Radiation (Dr. John Konefal and the late Dr. Arthur Chaney), Carolina Urology ( Dr. David Konstandt) and all the staff at Gordon Hospice House for all their kind and compassionate care of Mr. Brown.
Memorials may be made to Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 6440 Old Statesville Road, Charlotte, NC 28269 or Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625
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