Willis Brown

Canton – Willis W. Brown, 91, of Canton died at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at his home.
He was born September 9, 1923, in Canton, to John E. and Della L. (Woodcock) Brown.  He married Mary Virginia Halley on November 28, 1959, in Moberly, MO.  She survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Irene (the late Calvin) Hart of Brereton, Lisa (Bill) Stewart of Dunfermline, and Gina (Gary) Ball of Canton; three step-daughters, Marion Gaye (Marty) Rorer of Texas, Becky (Jack) Eyman of Canton, and Krista (Phil) Sepich of Canton; one brother, Jack (Hazel) Brown of Farmington; 18 grandchildren, Lisa Ford, James “Andy” Hart, Randy Hart, Candi Brooks, Carissa Mendenhall, Jason Stewart, Chelsea Stewart, Trey Simmons, Sydney Simmons, Jacob Ball, Kaleb Ball, Nicole Ball, Nathan Ball, Trisha Crabtree, Kevin Kaiser, Jeremy Eyman, Todd Sepich and Heather Beaty,  many great grandchildren, and many great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Albert Dean Brown Sr., James Brown, Dick Brown, and Dallas Brown; five sisters, Anna Ewing, Bernita Pinkerton, Velma Bear, Reba Brown, and Bonnie Schiltz, and two grandchildren Tamara McPherson and Corey Kaiser.
Willis was a veteran of the United States Army, serving his country during World War II.  He worked for International Harvester Co. as a tool crib attendant and machine operator, retiring in 1981, after 40 years of service.
He was a member of the Canton VFW Post #1984, Travelers Protection Association, UAW Retiree’s Club, Congregational Congeniality Club, and was a member of First Baptist Church in Canton, where he volunteered in the food pantry.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton, where visitation will be held two hours prior to services. Military honors will be held at the funeral home immediately following services.  Cremation rites will follow services.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church food pantry.
To view Willis’ tribute or post condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com