Lt. Col. William Douglas “Doug” Brandon, Sr.

Lt. Col. William Douglas “Doug” Brandon, Sr., age 95, passed away on February 13, 2024. Born on Jan. 3, 1929, in Greenville, Mississippi, Doug’s legacy is marked by enduring love for family and friends, a sparkling sense of adventure, and prestigious service to his faith, country, and community.

Near the end of World War II, Doug enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After finishing his enlistment, Doug enrolled at Ole Miss and joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and began his college education. Doug joined the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, enjoying college activities with new and old friends, and met Betty, the love of his life. Soon after, Doug accepted a commission in the U.S. Army. The couple left Ole Miss and married on August 30, 1952.

Doug’s military career would span 24 years, specializing in Army aviation. Doug was one of the first US Army aviators sent to Vietnam in 1962 and served in various postings in the United States, where he honed his flight, jump and helicopter proficiencies. After his last official Army assignment as ROTC director for Ole Miss, Doug retired from the Army earning honors including the National Defense Service Medal, Senior Army Aviator Badge, One Oversea Bar, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Armed Services Reserve Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

After retiring from the military, Doug was the first staff pilot for Ole Miss. He later accepted a position with Bell Helicopter and, accompanied by his wife and youngest daughter, moved to Iran before the overthrow of the Shah. The family thrived in the Middle East and took many opportunities to visit countries across Europe and Asia.

Upon their return from Iran to their Oxford home, Doug re-enrolled at Ole Miss and earned his Master of Fine Arts with an emphasis on sculpture. In addition to his love for learning, Doug continued to pilot charter flights for various entities and tried his hand at farming, raising cattle and timber.

Doug truly enjoyed his ‘busy’ retirement. For over 50 years, Doug was an active member of the Oxford community, serving in The Lions Club, the VFW and the American Legion. He was instrumental in getting the Veteran’s Home built in Oxford and served as the American Legion Post Adjutant. He and Betty were active members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and together they learned to sail ‘Takachance’ and soon spent many weeks on sailing adventures with their friends Tex and Gloria. The friends they made together throughout their lives continued to grow in number and included many of their children’s friends and people they met in their various travels. Their home was warm, welcoming, open to all; and all came.

In 2020, Doug and Betty made their final move to a mountain cottage next door to their daughter Lynn in North Carolina, close to the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains which they loved so well. In celebrating their 71st anniversary recently, Doug remarked “I’m the lucky one” in regards to his cherished wife. Doug’s family and friends would agree they were all blessed by the man who loved so deeply. He blended the discipline of military service with the eye of a distinguished artist and the heart of a lion. Known for his adventurous, mischievous, and hospitable nature, he will be greatly missed.

Doug is survived by his wife of 71 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Wallace Brandon; his daughters Lynn Brandon

(Angus Morrison) and Katie Brandon; daughter-in-law Ann Brandon; four grandchildren, Warren Brandon

(Amanda), Elizabeth Brooks Brandon, Amanda Coward Black (Beau), and Harmony “Billie” Coward; and five great-grandchildren, Freelyn, Reagan, Maya, Logan, and Anna Catherine. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Hood Brandon, Sr. and Lucile Love Brandon; his brother, Dr. Leonard Hood Brandon, Jr.; his son William “Bill” Douglas Brandon, Jr.; and granddaughter, Melody Louise Coward.

On Sunday, February 18, 2024, a visitation will be held at Waller Funeral Home in Oxford, Mississippi, from 2 to 4 p.m. 

On Monday, February 19, 2024, a graveside service will be held at Odd Fellows Rest in Aberdeen, Mississippi, at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to French Camp School, 1 Fine Way, French Camp, MS 39745.