Billy Don Brown

BILLY DON (DUGAN) BROWN

Billy Don Brown was born on November 29, 1930, in Redland, Oklahoma to Cleo Clinton Brown and Myrtle (Israel) Brown. Billy weighed in at a whopping 13 pounds and had to be weighed on a cotton scale.

His angels took him away to his Heavenly Home early Tuesday morning on September 22, 2021. He was very sick for several months but now knows no pain.

Bill married his forever love, Marion Marie (Dettmer), on May 29, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois. They were blessed with two of the most wonderful children in the world, Darrell Wayne Brown and Linda Susan Brown. Before their second wedding anniversary, their little family was complete.

They lived in the Chicago area until October, 1975, when they moved to Gans, Oklahoma. Bill and Marion attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Sallisaw for over 20 years where Bill was President of the Church Council for several years. In 2004 they joined St. Luke Lutheran Church in Fort Smith where they were both active in the choir and Bill sang several beautiful solos over the years.

Next to God and Family, Bill’s biggest passion was the Air Force. He enlisted in the Air Force on April 6, 1948 (a day he celebrated every year) and served in the Korean War. He was medically discharged in June 1951. He was a member and past Commander of American Legion Post #27 in Sallisaw. Bill was also a Life Member of the VFW chapter in Sallisaw. Bill and Marion were proud members of the 3450th Technical Training Group from Francis E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and made many life-long friends over the years. They were the organizers for several of the reunions.

Bill worked as an Electronic Technician at various jobs. His last position was with the U.S. Marshall’s Service in Fort Smith.

Bill leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 61 years, Marion Marie, his son Darrell and fantastic wife Sherry, his daughter, Linda, his two very special granddaughters, Ericka, age 30, and Olivia, age 21, one brother, Jesse Brown and Melody of Gans, two sisters, Melba Arterburn of Fort Smith, and Lela Freeman, of Wichita, Kansas, sister-in-law Wanda Brown of Gans, his nieces, Maria Harris of Gans, Heather Arterburn of Denver, and Jodee Wiley of Wichita; and nephews Steve Brown of Shreveport, Louisiana, Donovan Arterburn of Denver, Joshua Brown of Fort Smith, and Cody Brown of Maryland, and numerous other relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home of Sallisaw. Viewing will be Monday, September 27, at the funeral home from 12 noon until 8 p.m. with visitation with the family from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at 1 p.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Free Ferry and Waldron Roads, Fort Smith, with burial to follow at The National Cemetery in Fort Smith.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post #27, P.O. Box 935, Sallisaw, OK 74955 or St. Luke Lutheran Church, 5401 Free Ferry Road, Fort Smith, AR, 72903.

Bill’s brother, Junior Brown, died on August 30th of this year and we can just see Junior calling out, “Come on Bill, let’s go fishin’.”