William Brown

CAPTAIN WILLIAM D. BROWN D.D.S. USNR (Ret.) 80, of Arthur, IL, passed away at 1:16 A.M. Friday, February 23, 2018 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.

Memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at the Arthur Southern Baptist Church, 530 N. Vine street in Arthur, IL.  Masonic Rites conducted by the Arthur Masonic Lodge 825 A.F. and A.M. will be held at 7:45 P.M. Tuesday at the church.  Visitation will also be held from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the Southern Baptist Church.   A memorial service will be held at 4:30 P.M. on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the Church.  Rev. Doug Davis will officiate.   Military rites will be accorded.   Burial will be at Sea. The Edwards Funeral Home in Arcola, IL is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dr. Brown was born on December 6, 1937 in Rosiclare, IL.   He was a son of Kenneth Croft (K.C.) and Frances W. (Garland) Brown.   He married Barbara Jeanne Wachdorf on April 17, 1968 in Chicago, IL.

Survivors include his wife Barb of Arthur, IL; four sons, Dr. Kenneth Edward Brown of Alexandria, LA, Kary Shane Brown and his wife Loretta of Evanston, IL, Kurt Everett Brown of Champaign, IL and Karl Shawn Brown and his wife Lindsay of Nixa, MO; three grandchildren, Zachary Brown of Evanston, IL and Michael and Abigail Brown of Nixa, MO; his mother, who is 100, Frances Brown of Rosiclare, IL; one brother, Joseph Everett Brown and his wife Liz of Ft. Collins, CO and one sister-in-law Linda Brown of North Port, FL.

He was preceded in death by his father, K.C. Brown and one brother, Kenneth Robert “Bob” Brown.

Dr. Brown served in the United States Navy Reserves from 1963 to 1990.   He retired as a Captain (O6).  He was a member of the Association of Military Surgeons.  He received the Navy Commendation Medal.  He was a pistol instructor for the Navy and was a National Champion on the Navy Pistol Team.

He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1963 and practiced in the Chicago area for 5 years.  He has served as a Dentist in Arthur, IL since 1968.  In July of this year, he would have marked 50 years of practice in Arthur.  He loved serving people and truly cared about his patients.

He was a member of the Arthur United Methodist Church.   He was a member of the Illinois State Dental Society and the American Dental Association.  He was a past president of the Eastern Illinois Dental Society and served on their Executive Council.  He was also involved in the Eastern Illinois Dental Study Club.  He was a 5th generation Master Mason, and he was a member of the Knights Templar.   He was a life member of the Illinois Rifle Association and the National Rifle Association where he was a certified Pistol and Rifle Marksman Instructor.  He also taught Hunter Safety Courses.   He was a CPR and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor.  He was a Merit Badge Counselor for Boy Scouts of America, and all four of his sons were Eagle Scouts.

Dr. Brown was an avid golfer and even shot a hole in one.   He enjoyed pistol shooting and loved Illini basketball.   He was known for his incredible wit and a great sense of humor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Navy League of the United States or the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.