William Donald Browning

March 1, 1930 - May 26, 2019

William Donald “Bill” Browning, 89, of 324 Starmont Drive, Danville, VA, died Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Select Specialty Hospital, Greensboro, NC, after a decline in his health for the past two and a half months. Mr. Browning was born in Topeka, Kansas on March 1, 1930, a son of the late Ivan Ellsworth Browning and Joanne Watson Browning. He lived his early years in Topeka, KS and had been a resident of Danville, VA since 1966. Mr. Browning retired after 36 years from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company where he worked as a Production Specialist. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus where he served as Past Grand Knight, John J. Russell Council 6143, 4rd Degree Past Faithful Navigator Patrick Henry Assembly 1720, and a member of the Danville Lodge 227 Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Browning was a faithful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. On May 6, 1949 he married Betty June Downs, she died on March 3, 2019. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a brother, Charles Edward Browning, and four sisters, Elizabeth A. “Liz” Zellar, Helen Oelke, Frances J. Thomas, and Dorothy I. Marsh. Survivors include six sons, Michael William Browning (Kelly) of Union, Kentucky, Stephen Charles Browning (Linda) of Virginia Beach, VA, Joseph Patrick Browning (Mary) of Wilmington, NC, Timothy Donald Browning (Gwen) of Danville, VA, Brian Anthony Browning (Sharon) of Danville, VA, Barry Alan Browning of Danville, VA; eleven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren; five sisters, Martha Kennedy of Topeka, KS, Carolyn M. Gudenkauf, of Clarksville, TN, Kathy Cox of Manhatten, KS, Janet L. Gessler of Austin, TX, and Margaret Stanley of Lenexa, KS; and a brother, Robert L. Browning, of Topeka, KS. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Father Jonathan Goertz officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Burial Park. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, at the church from 12:30 until 2:00 P.M., and at the residence at other times. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart School, 540 Central Boulevard, Danville, VA, 24541 or to the Danville Life Saving Crew, 202 Christopher Lane, Danville, VA 24541. Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel is serving the Browning family.