Major (Retired) William O. Brown

March 17, 1927 - October 25, 2017

Major William O. Brown (Retired) Born: March 17th, 1927 Promoted to Glory: October 25th, 2017 Major William O. Brown, 90, was promoted to Glory on Wednesday evening, October 25th, surrounded by his family. William was born to Oliver and Dorothy Brown on the 17th of March 1927 in Gary, IN. He served honorably with the US Army in WW2 and the Korean War, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1953, on the 26th of December, he married Alice Seitzinger in Hammond, IN. Alice and Bill entered the Salvation Army School for Officers Training in Chicago in the fall of 1958, and were commissioned as Officers (ordained ministers) in June of 1959. They served with dedication for 33 years. Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Alice; daughter, Bonnie (Michael) Burgess of Arlington Heights; son, Bradford (Lisa) Brown of Centennial, CO; foster daughter Carolyn Brown, Gary, IN; grandchildren, Alexandra, Ashley, Carly and Chandler Burgess and Austin Brown; great grandson Hunter; brother, Richard (Grace) Belmont of Florissant, MO; brothers-in-law, James Carneal of Phoenix, AZ and William Lewis of Wheatfield, IN. Preceded in death by his children, Steven, Martin (Marty) and Patrick Brown, parents; siblings, George Brown, Betty Carneal, Leslie Belmont, Frances Lewis, James Belmont; and. Memorial visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. on November 4th, 2017, followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:30 at The Salvation Army Temple Corps, 500 S. Rockford Ave. Rockford. Capt. Nathaniel Doria will officiate. Grace Funeral & Cremation Services have assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northern Illinois Hospice Foundation. Share a memory or condolence at www.graceFH.com.