William D. Brinson Sr.

"BILL"

BRINSON, Sr., 77

WINTER HAVEN - Mr. William D. (Bill) Brinson, Sr., was born in Savannah, Georgia September 12, 1934 to James Elton Brinson and Mary Virginia Crosby. He passed away June 1, 2012 in Winter Haven, FL due to Cancer.

Bill was an avid fisherman and was a member of Polk County Bass and Snook Club and a life member of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. He obtained his formal education in Savannah, Georgia. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America serving as Scout Master to several different troops both in the United States and overseas and was a Round table commissioner. He achieved the Order of the Arrow and Wood Badge and in 1957 attended the Scout Jamboree at the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico.

He was a Master Mason in Masonic Lodge # 186 Winter Haven, Florida, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Egypt Shrine Temple, and a member of the Eastern Star. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, and American Legion Post #8 and Moose Lodge # 1023 and the U.S. Navy Beach Jumpers Association. He was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Police and Fleet Reserve Association, Norfolk, Virginia Branch #60.

While serving in the United States Navy, Bill, spent 18 1/2 years of his Naval career at sea traveling around the world on various ships and shore duty stations as a Radioman. He was made a Blue Nose for crossing the Artic Circle and Golden Shellback for crossing the equator. Before he retired with 25 years of service to the United States Navy, he served in the Korean War and Vietnam Conflict. After his naval retirement, he worked in law enforcement in Virginia, Texas and Florida. He was a former owner of the 34th Street Drive Thru in Winter Haven, and a mail carrier for the United States Post Office.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James E Brinson, Jr. and former wife, Carol Lee Brinson. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis;

three sons, William D Brinson, Jr. and his wife Shirley of Orlando, Florida, Michael Brinson and his wife Denise and granddaughter Kelsi Brinson of Amarillo, Texas and David Brinson and his wife Margie of Corsicana, Texas.

A visitation will be held June 6th from 9-10 A.M. with a service following at 10 A.M. at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home in Winter Haven. Burial will be at 2 P.M. that day at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Masonic Lodge #186, 375 Avenue A SW, Winter Haven, Florida 33880.

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