Billy Joe Brown, 86, of Sweet Home, Oregon went to Heaven surrounded by his loved ones on July 19, 2013.

Billy Joe was born April 7, 1927 in Parsons, Kansas to Clarence and Alice (Coover) Brown. He resided in Sweet Home since 1949; the place where he met and married the love of his life, Evelyn, in 1952.

Billy Joe served as a PFC, U.S. Army 11th Airborne Division. He obtained his pilot’s license with his GI Bill. He was a welder and machinist with Willamette Industries until he retired. His hobbies were fishing and hunting.

Billy Joe was a life member of: Sweet Home Evangelical Church; Sweet Home Masonic Lodge; and American Legion Post #133.

He is survived by: his wife, Evelyn; daughters, Priscilla Barstad, Joleen Hannen, and Shari Peterson; sister, Barbara Walsh; and brother, Karl; seven grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Billy Joe was preceded in death by: his daughter, Nancy Oar; brothers, Larry, Fred, Clarence, and Dwight; sister, Beverly Franklin; and his parents, Clarence and Alice.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be made in Billy Joe’s memory to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

A viewing is scheduled from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday, July 26, 2013 at Sweet Home Funeral Home.

A funeral service in celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 27, 20130 at Sweet Home Evangelical Church. Final burial will follow at Gilliland Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.