William Albert Browne

William (Bill) Albert Browne was born to George Oliver and Marion Bockstahler Browne on February 24, 1927 and died on February 8, 2023.  He lived a full and healthy life for 95 years, only recently falling ill with heart failure.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Jane T. Browne and his older brother George O. Browne, Jr.   He is survived by his two children, William A. Browne, Jr. (Tiffany) and Nancy J. Barnes (Steve); his four grandchildren Clifton A. Barnes, Joseph S. Barnes, Kristin A. Mason, and Keegan A. Browne;  and five great grandchildren Madison L. Mason, Hayden M. Barnes, Cameron S. Barnes, Harvey B. Barnes, and Miles X. Mason.

Bill was a graduate of Shortridge High School and a member of the Boy Scouts of America attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.  He served in the Army of the United States during the latter stages of WW II, eventually assigned to Hdq. Co. 17^th Major Port, Bremerhaven, Germany as a part of the Army of Occupation.  He traveled to Europe aboard the U.S. Blue Ridge Victory, celebrating his 19^th birthday somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Following his military service, Bill attended Purdue University earning an Aeronautical Engineering Degree in 1951.  He was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity while at the university.

He spent his entire 38 year career with Link-Belt Co. in Indianapolis, starting at the Chain Plant and then finishing at the Bearing Plant.  His final position was Manager Manufacturing Engineer.

Bill was a proud Mason, being a 68 year member of Pentalpha Lodge No. 564.  He was a 32^nd Degree member of the Indianapolis Scottish Rite; a Shriner at the Murat Shrine; and a member of the Royal Order of Jesters.  Bill was also recognized as a Kentucky Colonel.

After retiring from Link-Belt, he volunteered his time as a hospital van driver for the Murat Shrine chauffeuring children on over 500 trips to three different Shrine hospitals.  Bill, as an octogenarian and affectionately known as “Tonto,” then used his driving skills to pilot a SAG (Supply and Gear) van for a group of cyclists traveling in segments from the west coast to the east coast, as well as traversing the Natchez Trace and the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Bill completed this ten year adventure as he turned 91 years of age.

Bill served as a tour guide for the Scottish Rite Cathedral and a historic docent for Indiana Landmarks.  He was a long-time member of the Service Corporation of Retired Executives (SCORE) and served as an elder at Second Presbyterian Church.   Bill also had the distinction, at 84 years of age, being the oldest individual to ride the zipline in the Super Bowl Village when Indianapolis hosted Super Bowl XLVI.

Bill spent his last few years at The Barrington in Carmel, IN.  The family is grateful to their staff, IU Health, and Paradigm Hospice for the care he received at the end of his life.

Bill’s funeral will be at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel located at 325 E. Carmel Drive at 1:00p on March 3, 2023.  Bill will be interred alongside Jane in Crown Hill Cemetery with a private graveside service for the family following the funeral.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children (Donate.lovetotherescue.org) in his memory.