Born in Longford and educated at St. Mel's College, Browne began his career at UCD, where, as well as winning numerous international university caps, he was a member of 4 winning Collingwood Cup teams, and after graduating, he signed for then strictly amateur Bohemians in time for the 1961/62 season.
He was a born leader, so much so that Bohs broke with their tradition of having a different man captain the team each year and Willie kept the captaincy for 3 consecutive seasons.
He made his debut away to Austria in a European Nations Cup tie that finished 0–0.
The perennial strugglers finished third in the league that season with Browne excelling at the back.
Impressively consistent in any defensive position, Browne missed just four league games in his five seasons.