William John Brown, Ii

William John Brown II Charlotte, Michigan Age 88, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at the Eaton Community Palliative Care. Bill was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on December 4, 1925 and moved with his family to Pontiac, MI when he was 10 months old. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout while in high school, which was announced along with his picture in the Pontiac Press newspaper. After graduating from Pontiac Central High School in 1943, Bill joined the United States Army. On Feb. 18, 1945, as part of the 20th Armored Division, he landed in Lehavre, France. He and his company fought in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Their largest battle took place outside of Munich where their victory included the capture of 800 Germans, including many SS troops. On April 29, 1945, they liberated Dachau Concentration Camp; releasing 30,000 prisoners. After V-E Day, Bill returned to the U. S. to prepare for an attack on Japan but the Japanese surrendered before he disembarked. After his return to Pontiac, he met and married Frances Jeanette Long and they started a family. Bill also enrolled in the Detroit Institute of Technology and completed his Pharmacy Degree while working to support his family. In 1958, Bill and Fran purchased Behrens & Rowe Drug Store and moved their family that included their three boys, Bill III, Dave and Bob, to Charlotte. They owned Brown’s Pharmacy for 30 years, until 1988. After the sale, Bill continued to work as a licensed pharmacist for other area pharmacies. While in Charlotte, Bill was very active in the community having served as president of Rotary Club and as Commander of the American Legion and the V. F. W. He was a good golfer (a 12 handicap for most of his adult life) and he and Fran enjoyed going on golf trips with other couples and participating in golf events at the Charlotte Country Club. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter. At the age of 85, he bagged the biggest deer of his life; an 11 point buck that he shot with a crossbow. The story was featured in Michigan Sportsman Magazine. Bill was a good friend; a loving husband; and a great dad. He was a man with a strong work ethic who put his family first. He was extremely generous; he loved to do things that made family members and friends happy. Fran, the love of his life and his best friend, passed away on October 5, 2010. Bill was never the same but continued to keep the extended family together by hosting Christmas every year. He also continued to work as a pharmacist until a few weeks before his 88th birthday. Surviving are: his three sons, William J. Brown III of Eaton Rapids, David M. Brown of Lake Odessa and Robert M. (Cecille) Brown of Beverly Hills, MI; grandchildren, Marci (Marcel) Pfeiffer, Tessa (Chris) Wackerle, Adam (Stephanie) Brown, Ian (Danielle) Brown, Mary Brown and Justin (H.P.) Brown; 4 great grandsons; one great granddaughter; his brother, Ronald Brown of Waterford and sister, Mary Jean Stanitis of St. Clair Shores, MI. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014 at the Burkhead-Green Funeral Home in Charlotte with Rev. Gary Wales officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Friday at the Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Eaton Community Palliative Care of Charlotte. “He will be missed more than most will know.” www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com