BILL BROWN
1928 - 2018
Billy (Bill) E. Brown, 89, passed on to heaven Thursday, January 25, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona.
He was born in 1928 in Kansas City, Kansas. Bill was raised in both Dry Knob, Missouri and Kansas City. He joined the Coast Guard in 1950 and served 4 years during the Korean Conflict. He married Cynthia Browder in 1953 and she remained his companion-for-life until her death in 2011. They moved to El Centro, CA for a Civil Service Position at NAF Navy Base as an Aircraft Mechanic Supervisor.
He owned Sharp Sanitation Service, Li Mar Motel, and various apartments in El Centro. He loved to go to the sand dunes with friends and family. Bill enjoyed driving and racing his dune buggies. He and Cynthia were active members at First Christian Church in El Centro for many years. Fun motorhome trips to the mountains and other places were numerous. Bill and Cynthia moved to Temecula, CA in 2000. He owned many classic cars throughout his life. Bill and Cynthia were members of the Temecula Car Club. He competed in car shows all around the Temecula Area.
After Cynthia’s passing he married Shirley Hanlon, Cynthia’s childhood and lifetime friend, in 2013. They lived in Mesa, AZ and were married until his recent death. Shirley and Bill enjoyed country dancing and going to Country Western shows in the Mesa area. Throughout his life, Bill had a positive attitude, high principles, extreme love and devotion to his family, and a deep belief in Jesus Christ. Bill and Cynthia’s three girls and their husbands and grandchildren are: Cheryl and Jeff Lyon (Christina, Randy, and Greg); Carla and Russ Greenhalge (Courtney and Lindsey); and Tina and Rick Arias (Chad, Jordan, and Taryn). He leaves behind 7 great-grandchildren in the Lyon/Gomez family. Grandpa Brown contributed to each of his grandchildren’s college educations. A celebration of life will be held at First Christian Church of El Centro on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 11 a.m. All are invited to the memorial service with lunch to follow in the church gym.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, if you wish to, please donate to Companion Hospice, Home Health & Assisted Care 1930 S. Alma School Rd. #A103, Mesa, AZ 85210; by internet site socalhospicefoundation .org/donate; or call 877-661-0087.