BROWN-WILLIAM

Steward’s Mate First Class William Arthur Brown
(USNR)

Born: March 21, 1924 — Goodview, Virginia
Parents: Hilary Brown and Viola Brown (Hubbard, Libby)
Siblings: Geneva B. Goggins, Louise Hubbard, Libby Hubbard, Dorothy Lewis,
Katherine J. Kasey, and brother Lewis Hubbard

Steward’s Mate First Class William Arthur Brown (USNR) was born on March 21,
1924, in Goodview, Virginia, to Hilary Brown and Viola Brown (Hubbard, Libby). He
was one of several children, including his oldest sister Geneva B. Goggins, and
siblings Louise Hubbard, Libby Hubbard, Dorothy Lewis, Katherine J. Kasey, and
brother Lewis Hubbard.

William grew up in Bedford County, working on local farms throughout the Goodview
community before being called to serve his country during World War II. He was
assigned to the Landing Craft Flotilla, Flagship No. 531, stationed at Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii.

For many years, the family was told he had been “thrown overboard.” However, recent
research by his great-great-nephew Kenyon (“Keyon”) Goggins, with the help of local
and national organizations, uncovered the truth — William was killed in service on
December 4, 1945, while on active duty at Pearl Harbor. His remains rest today at the
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

William’s life and sacrifice remain a powerful testament to duty and honor. Several
members of his family have since followed in his footsteps by serving in the United
States Armed Forces, proudly continuing his legacy of service. Those left to carry on
his name include a host of nieces and nephews — descendants of the Goggins and
Hubbard families — who proudly remember him as a young man from Goodview,
Virginia, whose story and service will never be forgotten.

Thank you for helping share and preserve our family’s history.

Virginia Family Uncovers the Forgotten Story of WWII Sailor Killed in Pearl Harbor

 

GOODVIEW, VA — For nearly eight decades, the family of Steward’s Mate First
Class William Arthur Brown (USNR) believed he had been “thrown overboard” after
World War II. Now, new research by his great-great-nephew, Kenyon (“Keyon”)
Goggins of Bedford County, Virginia, has revealed the truth — Brown was killed in
service on December 4, 1945, and is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of
the Pacific in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Born on March 21, 1924, in Goodview, Virginia, William was the son of Hilary Brown
and Viola Brown (Hubbard, Libby). He was one of several children, including his
oldest sister Geneva B. Goggins, and siblings Louise Hubbard, Libby Hubbard,
Dorothy Lewis, Katherine J. Kasey, and brother Lewis Hubbard. Before joining
the Navy, he worked on local farms in the Goodview community and later served
aboard the Landing Craft Flotilla, Flagship No. 531 at Pearl Harbor.

Brown’s rediscovered story has been recognized by WSLS 10 News and the U.S.
Navy Memorial Log. His great-great-nephew Kenyon continues to honor his legacy through research and family outreach, ensuring his name is remembered alongsideother Bedford County heroes such as the “Bedford Boys.”

“William’s life and sacrifice remain a powerful testament to duty and honor,” Goggins
said. “Several members of our family have since followed in his footsteps by serving in
the United States Armed Forces. We’re proud to finally bring his story home — and
we thank everyone helping to preserve our family’s history.”