No headline

Billy D. Brown, 75

Billy DeWayne Brown, 75, of Hayden, Idaho, was called to heaven on June 1, 2019, at Schneidmiller Hospice House. His grandchildren and best friend all traveled from as far away as Los Angeles to be with him when he passed. Billy’s final hours were filled with love, laughter and peace.

Billy was born May 11, 1944, in Greenville, Ky., to Billy S. Brown and Jean Downey. He lived in Kentucky through the sixth grade, and then moved with his family to Ontario, Calif. Billy graduated from Chaffey High School in 1962, then he started his service in the United States Navy as a Seabee (1961-1967). His duties included heavy equipment operations, and he served overseas in Okinawa and the Aleutian Islands.

After his military service, he decided to be a mountain man in Alaska; however, this was interrupted when he met his future wife in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and married her a week and six days later. He married Myrthal Hendrickson in Post Falls, Idaho, on May 12, 1970. Two years later, their only child, Meshyll, was born.

Billy worked in various locations including Coeur d’Alene Tire and then across Sherman Avenue at Al’s Union 76 Station. From 1985 until 1991, Billy worked in American Canyon, Calif., for Laidlaw as a power plant operator. Following that he worked at Reagan Equipment — these years he enjoyed the most. In the evenings and on weekends he could be found in his shop, welding, creating and fixing anything anyone needed.

His spare time was spent hitting the road on one of his many motorcycles; never needing a map because there were few roads in the western United States he had not traveled. Along the way, he never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went. Those closest to him were always prepared for his wise jokes and witty humor. He was passionate about his family and friends. Billy was later an active member of the Spokane branch of Navy Seabee Veterans of America, and never left the house without his Seabees ‘Can Do’ hat. Billy was loved and respected in his community and it filled his heart to know that he had friends far and wide.

He is survived by his wife, Myrthal Brown; daughter, Meshyll Pecha; his three grandchildren, Tayler Pecha, Jeana Pecha and Ethan Pecha; his sister, Beverly (Ron) Widner and nieces, Sarah and Elizabeth Widner; his best friend and brother, Larry Ray and an abundance of friends and family members.

A celebration of life will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at The Coeur d’Alene Shrine Event Center. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Schneidmiller Hospice House, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Billy’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com