William Buster Brown, Sr,

William Buster Brown, Sr., age 87, of Chattanooga, TN better known as “Panama Bill” died Sunday June 9, 2013. Mr. Brown was born January 4, 1926 in Ladds, Marion County, Tennessee. His father was a turbine operator at Hales Bar for the old Tennessee Power Company at the time of Mr. Brown’s birth. Mr. Brown was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Other memberships include the Masonic Lodge 673, Scottish Rite, and the Alhambra Shrine for over 50 years each. In the Abou Saad Shrine of Balboa, Panama, he served as Captain of the Motor Patrol in 1968 and President in 1969. Mr. Brown became active in organized labor at the age of 18 when he joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). In 1965, Mr. Brown and his wife, Opal, moved to the Panama Canal Zone. Mr. Brown held the office of Business Manager for 12 years with IBEW local 397, as well as Business Delegate for the Central Labor Union and Metal Trade Council (AFL-CIO). He also served as representative in the Office of Wage and Grievances on the Governor’s staff. In 1967, as Legislation Representative, Mr. Brown helped draft the Treaty Labor Annex, which is still in existence. He later served as President. Mr. Brown retired from the Panama Canal in 1988 as Electrical Senior Lockmaster of the Miraflores Locks on the Pacific side. Mr. Brown was the son of the late Julia Rice-Brown and Alvis Lester Brown. In 1946, Mr. Brown married Opal Harris-Brown, who passed away in July 2005. Brothers include William Claude Brown and Robert Brown, both deceased, and James David Brown. Preceded in death by his daughter Micki Jo Brown-Cooper. He is survived by sons, Larry Steven Brown, Sr., William Buster Brown, Jr., six grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Arrangements are by Ryan Funeral Home in Trenton, GA. Visitation will be Tuesday 4 till 8 PM. Memorial service will be Wednesday at 1 PM in the chapel conducted by the Lookout Valley Masonic Lodge # 673 F&AM. Interment will be at Lakewood Memory Gardens West in Lookout Valley, Tennessee by members of the Masonic Lodge 673. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children and the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

William Buster Brown, Sr,

January 4, 1926 - June 9, 2013