William "Bill" Brower

Bill was born October 11, 1927 to Kathrine Hizar and James F. Brower in National City, California. His childhood was partially spent in the California Mountains where his Dad commanded CCC camps. He also lived in Coronado and Pasadena where he graduated from high school in 1945. Feeling it was a family tradition to join the army he enlisted as soon as he was 18. Sent to Europe, he was stationed with a band in Heidelberg, so he took advantage of the situation and studied German, piano and calculus at the University of Heidelberg.

Next he was put in command of a soldier show which traveled Belgium, France and Germany entertaining the troops with South American music. On discharge he went to Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. It was there that he met Margaret Schiemann who became his wife of almost 54 years. Their honeymoon was a cross country trip to Southern California where he studied at the University of Southern California, receiving a Master's Degree in Music Composition.

After driving a truck for a while, Bill took his family which now included son James to Northern Colorado where he taught school and took a Master's Degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado.

The family, which now included second son Alan, moved to Richland, Washington. Bill taught music for 30 years mostly at Lewis and Clark, Spalding, and Marcus Whitman elementary schools. A third son, Hugh, joined the family after the move to Richland. Bill earned his final degree, a PhD in Music Education, from the University of Oregon

Bill was a Mason and was very proud of this organization. He served as Master of Richland Lodge # 283 and in York Rite Masonry, served as High Priest Pasco Chapter 33 Royal Arch Masons, Illustrious Master Zadok 23 Royal and Select Masters, Commander Pasco Commandery 21 Knights Templar, Prior Desert Council 46 Allied Masonic Degree, Governor Kamiakin York Rite College 28. Received Knight York Cross of Honor, Member of Red Cross of Constantine and held the Purple Cross, and was a member of Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priest.

He also served on the board of the Mid-Columbia Symphony and was a member of the Columbia Basin Fly Casters where he served as President for one year.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, son Jim and wife Debbie, son Alan, son Hugh and wife Sandra, granddaughter Heather, his sister Marianne and husband Dan Ballard, and six nephews. Bill's memorial service will be held 2:30PM Thursday May 8, at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 5304 Burden Blvd, Pasco WA. Burial will be at the Greenfield Cemetery in Greenfield, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the building fund of First Church of Christ, Scientist, at the address listed above, the Nature Conservancy, or the Audubon Society.