William Brown

William F. (Bill) Brown, Jr., World War II veteran, former Champion International corporate director, and community volunteer, died at his home in the Cruso community on February 23, from complications associated with congestive heart failure. He was 84 years old. Mr. Brown, a Haywood County native, was the son of the late Donna Pressley Brown and William Floyd Brown, Sr. Mr. Brown's childhood years were spent primarily in Canton and Lake Junaluska. After graduating valedictorian of Canton High School's Class of 1941, he attended Blanton's Business College and then worked for the U.S. Government in Washington, D.C. before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served with the 4th Marine Division and fought in the battles for the Pacific islands of Roi-Namur, Saipan (where he was wounded), and Iwo Jima. Among the citations and honors he received, Mr. Brown was proudest of the Purple Heart he was awarded. A graduate of the University of North Carolina with a B.A. degree in Commerce, Mr. Brown's business career spanned 37 years working for companies in Louisville, KY and Muncie, IN and for the final 28 years with Champion International at its business offices in Canton and then at its corporate offices in New York City and Stamford, CT. He was Director of Capital Budgets at the time of his retirement in 1986. In 1987, Mr. Brown returned to Haywood County where he maintained his primary residence for the rest of his life. Wherever he resided, Mr. Brown always strove to contribute to the betterment of his community. He was an active member in whatever church he attended. During the 1960's he served as Assistant Scoutmaster with Boy Scout troops in Canton and Bethel. From 1964 to 1968, Mr. Brown held an elected position on the Haywood County School Board and played a primary role in the consolidation of the Haywood County school system and the establishment of Pisgah and Tuscola High Schools. In 1980, soon after his wife Sara was diagnosed with cancer, Mr. Brown volunteered his services to the fledgling hospice movement in Stamford, CT, providing help for patients and their families and acting as the organization's advocate within the corporate world. Through his entreaties and insistence, Champion International provided Stamford Hospice with its first offices and donated significant financial backing. Mr. Brown was buried with military honors following graveside services at Bon-A-Venture Cemetery. Besides his parents, Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his brother Ernest Ray Brown, his first wife Nadine Kendrick Brown, and his second wife Sara Boone Brown. A devoted father to his five children, Mr. Brown is survived by his son Mark Brown of Pikesville, MD and daughters Pamela Evans of San Carlos, CA; Diane Oberg and her husband, Sven, of Waynesville; Laura Duell of Maggie Valley; and Jan Fleming and her husband, Howard, of Spartanburg, SC. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Brittany, Christopher, and Amy Duell and H. J. and Benjamin Fleming. In honor of Mr. Brown's past work for the hospice movement and in gratitude for the help and support that hospice provided him and his family in his final days, the family has requested that donations be made in his memory to Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 LeRoy George Dr., Clyde, NC 29721. Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Waynesville was in charge of arrangements. For those who desire, an on-line memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at "www.wellsfuneralhome.com"

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