88, died Friday morning, April 30th, at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto. He leaves his 3 children, sons James and Randy, and daughter Susanne, 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Born and raised in Lookeba, Oklahome, the son of William Henley Brown and Audrey Leola Smith Brown, he became to California in the early 1940's and made his home in San Jose.
During WWII, William enlisted and served proudly in the United StatesNavy. He was aboard the USS Johnston, DD 557, a Fletcherclass destroyer that participated in the historic naval battle off Samar at Leyte Gulf, in the Philippines. During that battle, the USS Johnston was sunk and of 327 sailors, only 141 survived. The USS Johnston received 5 Bettle Stars for its WW II service.
William was a proud recipient of The Purple Heart due to wounds received during that battle.
Funeral Service will be held at The Father's House, 2165 Lucretia Avenue, San Jose, 95122, on Monday, May 10th at 11:30 AM. Interment to follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, CA. Willow Glen Funeral Home, San Jose, CA, serving the family. www.willowglenfuneralhome.com.
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