William S. Browne, Jr., (Bill) age 92, died peacefully on June 11, 2025 at his FL condo.

A Detroit native, Bill graduated from Cooley High School in 1950 and thereupon entered the Navy during the Korean Conflict. His tour of duty on
the USS Midway included a goodwill mission throughout the Mediterranean. Through the GI Bill, he obtained degrees in automotive engineering and elementary education. Graduate and post graduate degrees were through Wayne State University and the University of Michigan. Early in his
educational career, Bill taught in the Warren Consolidated School District during the school year and worked in automotive drafting during the
summer. Bill's lifelong commitment to public education included work to obtain collective bargaining rights for school employees. He served as the
Executive Director of the Utica Education Association for 23 years: 1971- 1994. Shortly after marrying his third and (as he liked to joke) his last wife, Gay Weed-Browne, he got political fever and ran for public office. In 1986, he had the closest margin of victory in winning the seat representing Michigan's 26th District (Macomb County) for one term: 1987-1988. Among other duties, Bill served as Vice Chair of the House Education Committee. Despite his very short term in office, he was proud to have headed a campaign to stop Michigan from becoming a radioactive waste site: (Don't Waste Michigan) and introduced bills protecting homeowners' rights, as well as a bill to require hard mineral testing of well- water in public schools. After losing his re-election in 1988, Bill returned to the UEA and remained their Exec until he retired in1994.

He was preceded in death by his two sons: David Browne and Kurtis Browne; his sister, Joan Falkowski, and his parents, William Browne, Sr, and Winnifred (Quinlan) Browne.

Bill and Gay, were lucky snowbirds, who split their time between their Jensen Beach condo and their home in Traverse City, MI. Bill was beloved by his step-sons, Robert, Randall (Michelle) and Ryan Weed, his grandchildren, Logan and Rylynn Weed, his in-laws, and his nieces and nephews. Bill loved all things Detroit: the Tigers, the Pistons, the Red Wings, and especially the Lions. He was fortunate to have attended the 1957 National Championship and see the Lions win. He longed to see them in a Super Bowl but that was not to be, so he requested that he be cremated in a T shirt that had the Lion's logo and said "Maybe Next Year." Bill will be remembered for his generous nature, his infectious laugh and his love of Scotty dogs.

Bill will be interred at Great Lakes National Cemetery. Private memorial services will be at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to a local National Public Radio affiliate.