Major William F. Brown

Major William F. Brown (ret.), 73, of Horn Hill Road, Ellicottville, New York died Thursday, October 29, 2015 following a sudden illness.

Born February 7, 1942 in Akron, Ohio, he was the son of the late Lawrence Brown and Betty Dengg. He was married in 1997 in Saint Thomas USVI to the former Leslie Cannon, who predeceased him in June 2015.

Major Brown enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1961; later serving tours in Vietnam and Okinawa and was stationed in Southern California and Hawaii. He retired with distinguished honors in 1980. In 1972 he earned the first ever perfect score in the USMC’s Air Defense School, a record that stands alone still today.

After serving in the military, and then as an executive with Sierra Research in Cheektowaga, he owned and operated The Ilex Inn in Ellicottville from 1991 – 2001.

He was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling, especially his ever frequent trips to Paris with his late wife, Leslie. He was a member of the Rotary Club.

Surviving are: two sons, Derek W. (Jeanette) Brown, Philadelphia, PA, Gavin E. (Cheryl) Brown, Colorado Springs, CO; three grandchildren, Faith Brown, Philadelphia, PA, Corbin Brown and Emily Brown, both of San Diego, CA; two brothers, Thomas Brown, Jacksonville, FL, Michael “Mickey” Brown, Detroit, MI; two sisters, Heidi Stein and Hallie Youssef, both of Miami, FL; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Kaitlyn Mary Brown.

Memorial visitation will be held Saturday, November 14, 2015 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Ellicottville, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., followed immediately by a memorial service with Rev. Dan Buringrud officiating.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York.

In lieu of flowers of flowers the family is asking memorial donations directed to the Marine Corps Veterans Association’s Veterans Funeral Honors Assistance Program.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.