William T. Brown (Willie to his friends) moved to the community of Barriere in the mid 1960s.
Willie and his wife had three children. Unfortunately, Willie’s wife passed away while the kids were still at home.
It was in Barriere that Willie met his second wife, Pat Perry, of McLure,who also was raising three children. The pair were soon married and raised their six children together in the community that they loved.
Willie drove logging truck, working for Mac Allen Logging and a number of other logging contractors in the area over the years. He also was a volunteer ambulance driver for three years in the 1970s.
Willie joined the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 242 in Barriere in 1973 – and he was hooked.
The Legion was not just a social gathering place, but a community service organization that Willie embraced wholeheartedly and dedicated 44 years of his life to.
Over those 44 years Willie served in all areas of the Legion, including Bar Chairman for at least four years, Service Officer, Director for many years, and most importantly serving as President seven times. From 2010 to 2016 he continued to serve his organization as Service Officer, only stepping back in 2016, at age 85,when his health started to fail.
In 1992 Willie was nominated by the Branch to become a Life Member of the organization for which he served so well, and on his acceptance was presented with the award.
Willie was a solid and supportive representative for the Legion and for the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. He sold poppies, volunteered for projects and fundraisers, gave experienced advice when needed, and was always there as the “go to guy”.
Strong, dependable, a good family man – these are all terms that describe who Willie Brown was.
Recently Willie was nominated for the Royal Canadian Legion’s Meritorious Medal of Service. Provincial Command Honours and Awards Committees review applications received from Branches, Zones and Districts, and recommend only qualified applicable applications to the Dominion Command Ritual and Awards Committee for final review.
Barriere Legion secretary Eileen Miers wrote the following in the Branch’s recommendation sent to Provincial Command for Willie’s Meritorious Medal of Service, “Comrade Brown is dedicated to his Branch and Legion members. I am honoured and proud to recommend him for the Meritorious Medal.”
The Meritorious Medal of Service was awarded to Willie Brown earlier this month.
Willie passed away May 15, 2017, with family and friends at his side. He leaves a legacy of service to his Branch and to his community.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for Willie at a later date.
