William Morris Brown, Jr. age 94, of Wilmington, DE passed away peacefully on August 13, 2019 at the home of his daughter, Patricia Bailey, of Claymont.
Bill was the son of the late William Morris Brown, Sr. and Gertrude Dodge (Ryder) Brown. He was a graduate of Mount Hermon Schools in Northfield, MA and Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Bill was most proud of his service to his country during WWII. As a member of the US Army Air Forces, he served with the 8th Air Force in the 36th Bomb Squadron (H), flying as an Armorer Gunner in the B-24J at the nose turret, ball, and waist gun positions. He completed over thirty missions. The 36th Bomb Squadron was unique in the 8th AF and in fact in the entire USAAF in Europe, in that it conducted Electronic Warfare, Deception, and Psychological operations against German air, land and sea forces, before these capabilities were even acknowledged.
He was employed at the DuPont Company for over 40 years in the Textile Fibers division. After his retirement, he turned a lifelong passion into a second career when he took up Genealogical research and spent over three decades as a Certified Genealogist. He assisted many people locate more information about their ancestors. As a direct descendant of one of the founders of New Haven, CT; he was a member of several genealogical organizations, including the Sons of the American Revolution, the Huguenot Society, and the Descendants of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, to name a few.
He had been an active member of Atonement Methodist Church in Claymont, both as a Sunday school teacher and church usher. For many years, he was an active member of the Masonic Lodge #33 in Brandywine and was proud to be a 32nd degree Mason. His hobbies included fencing and target shooting.
Bill was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Vera Jeanette (Jean) Rafford Brown in 2004 and his brother, Ross Curran Brown in 1993. He is survived by his son, Douglas R. Brown (Melinda) of Waldorf, MD: his daughter, Patricia G. Brown (Thomas) of Claymont, DE; his grandsons, Stewart Brown (Eileen), Trevor Brown (Lizzie), and Kirby Brown; his granddaughters Jennifer Bailey and Amanda DelCampo (Bill), and great-grandson and namesake, Isaac William Brown.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 9, 2019 at Atonement Methodist Church, 3519 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703. Visitation is scheduled for 10-11am with the memorial service immediately following. A private committal service will be held at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Bayada Home Health, 750 Shipyard Dr., Suite 100, Wilmington, DE 19801 or to Atonement Methodist Church.
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