William E. Brown

William Edward “Bill” Brown, 92, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2011 in a local hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born January 16, 1919 in Village Mills, Texas to William E. Brown and Lucille Lee Crutcher Brown.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1940, serving during WWII on the USS Richmond from 1941 until it was decommissioned after the war; he continued to serve in the Navy throughout the Korean conflict on the USS Wasp as well as numerous other ships and duty stations, retiring as a Chief in 1960. He was then employed by J.C. Penny’s sporting goods department retiring in 1985. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, also loved gardening and watching football and baseball on television.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Albert, three sisters, Ida May, Minnelli, Oris, and step-son, James E. (Jimmy) Loomis. Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Stella L. Cline; step-son, Earl A. Loomis (Patsy) of Corpus Christi; grandchildren, Debra (Charles) Patrick of Corpus Christi, Connie (Lee) Hartmann of Poth, Texas, Aaron (Janice) Loomis of Corpus Christi, Texas, Audra (Garren) Ritter of Schertz, Texas, and Lisa (Scott) Gordon of Chesapeake, Virginia and twelve great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank home health, hospice, and Alameda Oaks caregivers, as well the excellent care received from the nurses and doctors at Doctor’s Regional Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with interment to follow immediately. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to USO, P.O. Box 7, Corpus Christi, Texas 78403 or to the American Cancer Society. To offer your condolences visit us at www.cage-mills.com.