McMinnville resident and Warren County native Spc. Willard Clayton Brown, 75, was born Sept. 2, 1947 and died Nov. 27, 2022 at Murfreesboro VA Veterans Home Community Living Center Hospice following an extended illness.
He was a loving husband, dad and grandfather, retired nurseryman, member of Shellsford Baptist Church, helped with Fairview CIC, life member of the VFW and had been member of the American Legion and Moose Lodge before his extended illness.
He graduated from Irving College High School and attended TN Technology School of Drafting in 1966, in McMinnville. He volunteered for the United States Army where he served from August 1966 until August 1969. Most of his time was served in Camp Red Cloud, Uijeongbu, South Korea, in communications and secret clearance, during the Vietnam Era. He was one of a six-man team who were on red alert, responsible for keeping the red phone line open and working between Army Headquarters in South Korea and the President of the United States at the White House. This happened when the USS “Pueblo” (AGER-2) intelligent ship was captured by North Korea.
Clayton, in younger years, liked fishing, hunting, playing cards with friends and just being outside. He loved to read, listen to music on the radio, gardening, working in the yard, in the nursery, greenhouses and being on his tractor. In his later years, he enjoyed attending church services and listening to congregational singing. Clayton dearly loved his family.
Mr. Brown was the son of the late, Joseph Willard Brown and Constance “Connie” Elvira Leech Brown. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Jerry Wayne Brown; sister, Edna Marie Brown Schantz; nephews, Eli Todd Brown and Jeremy Lynn Brown and sister-in-law, Kathy Brown.
He was married to his wife of 50 years, Malinda Lee Savage Brown, on April 17, 1972. In addition to his wife, Mr. Brown is survived by daughter, Tammy Consuelo Brown (Jason) Cherney of Brentwood; son, William Edward (Cytha) Brown of McMinnville; grandchildren, Caden Pilcher Cherney and Tristan Edward Cherney, both of Brentwood and Savannah Claire Brown and Spencer Cade McCormack, both of McMinnville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bernie Jo Brown, Arthur Patrick (Jackie) Brown and Mac (Rhonda) Brown, all of McMinnville; brother-in-law, John Schnatz of Ashville, Ala.; nieces and nephews, Tonya Jo (Phillip) Scott, Matthew Lee (Camille) Brown, Christopher (Sheri) Brown and several great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Murfreesboro VA Veterans Home Community Living Center Hospice. Also, a special thanks to the staff at the Fisher House Foundation on Murfreesboro VA grounds. They provided a safe, comfortable, loving environment as a special service to the military men and women who have served and are serving our country and their loved ones.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 in High’s Chapel with Ronnie Powell and Craig Carson officiating. Visitation will be held from noon. until the time of service Thursday at High’s. Full military honors will be administered by the VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made be made to plant a tree, Gideons International, Fairview CIC, TN Fisher House Foundation, Inc. or the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.
High Funeral Home and High’s Cremations, Inc. are in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Nov. 30, 2022
