BROWNSON, WALTER W. L.

Walter W. L. “Bill” Brownson, 89, of Howard Divide, died Saturday, March 2, 2013, at Lock Haven Hospital. Born Jan. 22, 1914, in Sterling, Ohio, he was a son of the late John and Ruth Gray Brownson. On Sept. 20, 1948, he married Helen M. Heaton, who died July 10, 2006. Bill worked in the auto sales and service industry and was the owner and operator of Brownson Auto Body. He was a Protestant. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines during World War II, serving in the First Infantry Raider Battalion. He fought in Guadalcanal and received numerous medals including the Purple Heart. Bill enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, antiquing and storytelling. He is survived by five daughters, Vickie (Jerry) Hanley, of Beech Creek, Dixie Lucas, of Bellefonte, Kathryn (Bill Edwards) Miller, of Mill Hall, Debra (David) Marler, of Orlando, Fla.., and Sharon (Nick) Rhoads, of Marsh Creek; two sons, William L., of Bellefonte and Larry W. (Brenda), of Howard; two sisters, Betty Weaver, of Rote and Donna Heaton, of Howard; a brother, Willard “Buzz” Brownson, of Howard; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by three sisters; two brothers; and two grandsons, Billy Paul Hanley and William Leroy Brownson Jr. Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at the Kader-Neff Funeral Home, 135 W. Main St., Howard. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at the funeral home, witht he Rev. Shawn T. Bell officiating. Burial will be in Romola Cemetery, with military rites accorded at graveside.