William Dorris Brown, 97, passed away peacefully at his home on May 20, 2017. Dorris was born in Corinth, Texas on February 12, 1920 to John and Maude Brown. He grew up in Corinth.

Dorris was a devoted husband and father, with strong faith in God, family and country.

He lived in Corinth on the school grounds where he attended school. He owned and operated the White House Cafe on S. Locust Street in Denton for 20 years. He later moved to the Bloomfield Community outside of Pilot Point, where he was a rancher. Upon retirement he moved back to Corinth, the place of his birth.

He served in the U.S. Navy. Dorris joined on January 1942 and was Honably Discharged on December 1945.  Dorris attended bootcamp at Norfolk VA. and was assigned to the U.S.S. Aulick Destroyer which was highly involved in the invasion of Guam, Pelu and the Philippine Islands. He was highly decorated, including the Purple Heart received after being injured by two suicide planes. He was hospitalized in New Caledonia for five months, then returned to the United States and was hospitalized in Norman, OK. After recovery he was transferred to Galveston, Texas until the end of the war. During which he helped discharged the 8 ^th Naval District.

Dorris is survived by his wife, Laverne; daughter, Kathy Edwards and husband Troy; three step children, Teresa Mitchell, Greg Mitchell, D'Wayne Mitchell; eight granddaughters and sixteen great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Imogene; daughter, Diane; son, Jim Brown; eight brothers, and three sisters.

Visitation will be held from 1-2 P.M. on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 prior to service. Service will be at 2:00 P.M. at DeBerry Funeral Directors with burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Food Pantry at the First Baptist Church of Denton or Friends of the Family.