Obituary of Willis Brown

W. WINSTON BROWN Willis Winston Brown passed away on Sunday September 18th at Colorado Springs, Colorado at the age of 92. Winston was born on December 3, 1912 in Haviland, Kansas the second son of M.O. and Nan Brown. He was raised in Kansas with his brother Verdis and graduated from Larned High School. He then attended Fort Hays State College as a student of music. In 1937, while working in Scott City, Kansas, he met and on November 21st married his beautiful wife of sixty eight years, Viva Mulch. Winston entered the Army Air Corps as a student glider pilot in July 1942 and was subsequently commissioned as an infantry officer. He served in the European Theatre of Operations, leading troops in battle including the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and a French decoration, among many others. After the war, Winston attended the Missouri School of Mines earning certification in architecture and, with his brother, established the Downs Contractors Company in Downs, Kansas in 1946. In 1959, he relocated the family to Topeka, Kansas where he became a career employee in the Federal Housing Administration, retiring as District Deputy Director in 1976. Moving to Rogers, Arkansas, he and Viva enjoyed many years of very active retired life that included golf, gardening, boating, bridge, music and travel until 1991 when they moved to Colorado Springs, CO. Winston's talent for, and love of, music enriched his life and those around him. His passion was performing on the electronic organ which he played daily for his enjoyment and to the appreciation of others. He particularly liked the rich sound and versatility of the pipe organ and was active in many clubs devoted to this instrument. Throughout the years, he also sang in barber shop quartets, choral groups and many choirs. Always a leader, he belonged to numerous organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Optimist's Club, Rotary Club, Boy Scouts of America, and various community groups, as well as, being an active member of the Methodist Church. He was predeceased by his parents and brother. Survivors include his wife Viva of Colorado Springs, and two sons and daughters-in-law; Dwane and Kathie of Carrollton, Texas and Ronald and Rosanne of Black Forest, Colorado; four grandchildren, Steven S. Brown of San Francisco, California, Christine Melton of Black Forest, Colorado, Jason Brown of Denton, Texas and Jarad Brown of Carrollton, Texas; and three great -grandchildren. Our kind, loving and giving husband, father and grandfather will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held at Price and Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas on September 24th at 2:00PM followed by inurnment in the Scott County Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pikes Peak Theatre Organ Society, P.O. Box 26167, Colorado Springs, CO, 80936 or to a charity of your choice.