William Irving Brown

PENSACOLA – William “Bud” Irving Brown, 90, Captain USNR (Retired), was born November 22, 1931, in Baden, Pennsylvania to William Irving and Janet Dalrymple Brown. He attended local schools,

graduating from Gloucester High School in 1950. After graduation, he began his naval career as an

enlisted man. Following a tour at sea aboard the USS Fulton (AS-11), he applied for aviation duty, and after successfully completing flight training, he was commissioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator in June 1953. In 1956, as Operations Officer for Detachment 34 of All Weather Attach Squadron 33, he saw extensive carrier duty in the Atlantic and became the Detachment’s first single-engine Centurion on the USS Saratoga (CVA-60) with 100 carrier landings. As a Navy Flight Instructor stationed at Whiting Field, Pensacola, he met Patricia Collins, a nursing student in Pensacola. They married in 1959, moved to numerous Naval duty stations, and grew their family; welcoming four children. Captain Brown retired in 1975, as Commander of the Naval Reserve Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after a 25-year career. Included among his decorations are the following awards: The National Defense Service Medal with star, the European Occupation Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Naval Reserve Medal with Hour Glass Device. After retiring from the Navy, the Brown family moved to Pensacola, Florida, where Bud continued to serve his community; first, as a delivery person for the Pensacola News Journal newspaper then as a mail person, delivering for the United States Post Office. He also took on the role of assistant softball coach at Pensacola Catholic High School; umpire at Baars Field; Lector and Eucharistic Minister for Holy Spirit Catholic Church, and was an active Member of the local Kiwanis Club. Bud also obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of West Florida in March of 1980. In addition to his community service, Bud was a man of many hobbies, including bird watching and metal detecting. To the great regret of his wife, he took a television repair class that resulted in him bringing home numerous discarded and broken television sets so he could repair them.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, William Irving and Janet Dalrymple Brown; his wife of 62 years,

Patricia Catherine Collins Brown and his sister, Janet Collins. He is survived by his four children: Kevin

Brown, Beth Mackin (John), Janet Goodall-Brown (Laura) and Martin Brown (Kathy); 13 grandchildren:

Kyle Brown (Maureen), Konnor Brown (Samantha), Katey (Rett), Mary, Julie and Amy Mackin, Catherine

Timo, Colleen Malone (Michael), Sean Brown (Amy), Sarah Stephen (Jay), and Kelsey Brown, and Dana

and David Teschel (Alyx); 8 great grandchildren: Brynleigh, Brooke and Logan Timo, Riley and Zoey

Malone, Georgia Brown, Oliver Stephen and William Brown; his sisters Beverly Rosell and Carol

Matthews; his Brother-in-Law, Paul Collins; as well as numerous nephews and nieces: Michael Collins,

Mark Collins, Robert Rosell, Renee Havicon, Rachel Rosell, Roxanne Slattery, Robin Shields, Ed

Matthews, Jeff Matthews, and Patty Williams.

Visitation will take place from 10:30 am to 11:30 am on Friday, April 22nd, 2022, at Holy Spirit Catholic

Church. Funeral Mass will begin at 11:30 am. Interment will immediately follow at Barrancas National

Cemetery at 1:00 pm, with a celebration of life to follow at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church Parish Hall

from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sheriff’s Boys Club, Pensacola Catholic High School or your

own favorite charity. Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Lawn Funeral Home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Brown family.