He was the youngest and last surviving of his nine siblings. He loved them all very much and we know he must have great joy in being reunited with them and his mother Nora Edith Myers Brown and father William Tapley Brown.
He is survived by his daughter Stephanie Hernandez (Jonathan) of Chattanooga, and son, Erik Brown of Phoenix, AZ, grandchildren, Ethan Brown, Aneve’ Brown, Severin Brown, Georgia Hernandez, and Cruz Hernandez. Several nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews (from Chattanooga, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina).
By God’s gracious providence, a loving minister and his wife from The Salvation Army took a great interest in Bill as a teenager. In addition to mentoring him spiritually, they paid for him to have private lessons at Cadek Conservatory of Music. Bills natural talent for playing the trumpet and composing led him to eventually become the Bandmaster at The Salvation Army Citadel Corp, teaching music to many youth (including his own daughter and son) for many years. He was a gifted Sunday School teacher, hobby-carpenter, and photographer as well.
Like his brothers who served in other branches, he honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corp, and even played in the Marine Band.
Following his service in the USMC, he returned to Chattanooga and began working a 40-year stretch for B.F. Goodrich, which became TCI, Inc. (Tire Centers Incorporated on 23rd Street) as a very successful Commercial Tire Salesman.
The family will receive friends Sunday, December 29, 2019 from 2-5 p.m. and Monday, December 30, 2019 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the East Brainerd Chapel with Rev. Chris Gaither officiating. Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army at www.csarmy.org.
Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.
