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William D. Brown, 64
William D. Brown, to most of us known as “Donnie” or “WD”, died peacefully at the Schneidmiller Hospice House of North Idaho on July 4, 2018. We like thinking that he went “with a bang” and the fireworks of Independence Day.
Donnie was born to William Edward and Marie Rushing Brown on April 24, 1954, in Baton Rouge, La. He grew up in Denham Springs, La., enjoying the small town life. Hunting and fishing in the bayous of the southeast were an important part of his early life, as was the Amite River which flows through Denham Springs. There was much fun with many cousins and other family members, like spear fishing under the oil rigs and scuba diving. Friday and Saturday nights were spent hanging out at the local Tastee Freez.
WD graduated from Denham Springs High in 1972. After graduation, he attended an apprenticeship program where he developed skills to work in chemical and nuclear plants. He was a proud member of the Pipefitters Local 198 out of Baton Rouge and the Operating Engineers Local 370 in Spokane, Wash.
Donnie moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1994. While work was what brought him to Coeur d’Alene, love is what kept him here. Don married Ellen McLain on Oct. 21, 1996. Don and Ellen enjoyed time at their family lake cabin and numerous trips over the years, including to Hawaii, Mexico, Canada and the beautiful Northwest.
Don was diagnosed in 2004 with Multiple Myeloma and began his treatment in Coeur d’Alene. As his need for additional treatments increased, Ellen and Don spent much of the last eight years in Little Rock, Ark., where he participated in multiple treatments and experimental research.
WD was recently preceded in death by both his parents. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; stepson, Ryan Richard; sister and brother-in-law, Cathy and Clyde Stevens; nephews, Josh and Joel Stevens; aunt, Theresa Cockerham; uncle and aunt, Kenny and Ameda Rushing; uncle and aunt, Bob and Terrie Morgan; and uncle and aunt, Penn and Charlotte Morgan. Donnie also leaves behind many cousins and close friends as well as his family through marriage, in-laws: Susan and Jim Curtiss, Sarah McLain and Tom Husby, Patrick and Karen McLain; nephew and nieces, Michael Halpern, Sarah and Marissa McLain; and great-niece, Soleil McLain.
Don’s family wishes to express deep gratitude and appreciation for the years of dedicated and professional care provided by Kootenai Cancer Center, in Coeur d’Alene; Cancer Care Northwest, in Spokane; the Multiple Myeloma Institute of Research and Therapy, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, in Little Rock, Ark.; and recently the loving care of Hospice of North Idaho.
Memorial gifts in Donnie’s memory may be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church, 521 Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, with a reception to follow.
Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Don’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.