By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
PHIL CAMPBELL – The town of Phil Campbell is mourning the loss of one of its own today as his family in Enterprise makes final preparations for his funeral.
Army Sgt. William Edward Brown, 25, a 2002 graduate of Phil Campbell High School, died Saturday, June 23 as a result of wounds from indirect fire in Taji, Iraq, according to the Associated Press.
Brown joined the United States Army in June 2002, just after graduating high school. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment,Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. at the time of his deployment to Iraq.
This was Brown's second tour of duty in Iraq, and he was scheduled to return the U.S. in September.
He was planning to attend flight school in Enterprise upon his return, and his wife, Rachel, and their two sons, Ethan and Tyler, had already relocated to south Alabama anticipating his return, according to Regina Lollar, Brown's mother-in-law.
"He was a wonderful husband and father," she said. "Even though he's gone, I am glad that he was my daughter's husband."
Brown attended elementary schools in Dothan and Conyers, Ga. before moving to Franklin County as a high school freshman. He finished ninth grade at East Franklin Junior High and played football at Phil Campbell High School.
Today, the Town of Phil Campbell will honor and remember the fallen soidier with a special service at Phil Campbell High School, where he once walked the halls. In addition to the special service, American flags are waving at half-staff throughout the town in memory of Brown
"He was a fine young man, quiet, and easy-going," said Police Chief Merrell Potter, who remembers Brown well.
Brown's body was returned to his family yesterday morning, and funeral services will be held this Sunday with visitation on Saturday evening. He will be buried in Dothan.