Dr. William Jennings Brown

Dr. William Jennings Brown, 88, of Charles Town, went to be with the Lord on June 15, 2016, at his residence surrounded by his loving family after a life-long fight with Parkinson Disease.

William was born Feb. 22, 1928, in Big Isaac, Doddridge County. He was the son of the late Ocie Inez (Boner) Brown and Guy Rector Brown.

He was a member of the Charles Town Baptist Church of Charles Town for 62 years, where he was chairman of the trustees, deacon, Sunday school director, teacher and historian. For many years, Dr. Brown was on the music committee at the Charles Town Baptist Church. He was instrumental in creating the church singing group “Voices of Victory.”

William was a graduate of Salem High School, class of 1946, B.S. in chemistry at Salem College, Salem, in 1950; Master of Arts in Science Education at West Virginia University, Morgantown, 1952; General Electric Fellow, Case Institute of Technology, Cleveland, Ohio, Summer 1956 (Physics); National Science Foundation Participant, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina Summer, 1957 (Chemistry/Physics); Oakland Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Summer 1958 (Nuclear Studies); CHEM Institute, Randolph Macon Woman’s College, Lynchburg, Virginia, Summer 1960; NSF Chautauqua Short Course for College Teachers, Temple University, (Science, The Media and The Public), 1981; and Doctoral program (ED.D.) in interdisciplinary Studies West Virginia University, 1987.

William taught as instructor in chemistry and physics at Doddridge County High School, West Union, 1950-1960; national science demonstration lecturer for the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies, Oak Ridge, Tennessee Academic year, 1958-1959; traveling demonstration lecturer to National Science Foundation Institutes for the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies, 1959; principal, Charles Town High School, Charles Town, 1960-1965; night instructor at Salem College, Salem, 1959; night instructor at Shepherd College, Shepherdstown, 1961; visiting assistant professor, Department of Physics, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968; teacher of PSSC Physics and CHEM Study Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, Maryland 1965-1968; professor, department of Physics and Geoscience, Montgomery College, 1968; acting assistant academic dean, Montgomery College, Rock Campus, 1972; Retired from Montgomery College, 1995; and adjunct professor, Natural Science Division, Shepherd University 1996 to 2002.

William enjoyed writing. Publications were made in West Virginia Journal 1963-1964; Wonderful West Virginia 1979; and Physical science in general education curriculum reform, 1985.

William participated in life member National Education Association; member AAUP; Smithsonian Associate and Member National Science Teachers Association; and Retired Teachers of West Virginia Association.

William is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Carolyn (Conaway) Brown; daughters, Dr. Deborah A. Brown and Althea A. Brown; sisters-in-law, Anerl Leggett and husband Otis Leggett, Irene Moats Conaway and husband A.B. Conaway, and Noma Leggett; and nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews, and cousins.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 20, at Charles Town Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Brian Hotaling and the Rev. Michael Lusby officiating. Interment was in Edge Hill Cemetery, Charles Town.

William will be greatly missed by all who loved him. William loved education. In lieu of flowers at his request, please give the gift of life and education by donating to Shepherd University Scholarship Fund in Physics, P.O. Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 or the Charles Town Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 222 South Mildred St., Charles Town, WV 25414.

Please sign the online guestbook and view his obituary at www.mtstrider.com.