William "Bill" G. Brown Jr.

William Bill Brown, Jr. was a man who loved his family, who had been strengthened by adversity, and who knew what hard work was all about. A devoted, reliable and trustworthy man, Bill was respected greatly by his friends and family for his strength of mind and unconditional love. He was continually guided by strong values, values that helped him make a lasting impression on all the lives he touched. Under the leadership of President Warren G. Harding, America entered into the 1920s with confidence. The politics of the time were as turbulent as ever, yet industry had made the U.S. economy surge. In the booming industrial city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, William G. Brown, Sr. was making a modest living as Treasurer of Sipes Paint Co., while his wife, Leona (Schwarz), prepared their home for the impending arrival of their first child. On November 20, 1923, the couple welcomed the birth of their healthy baby boy, a son they proudly named William Jr. Although an only child, Bill had a happy childhood, growing up in a loving home and with an appreciation for their strong Scottish heritage. He received his education in the Peabody Public Schools and was the Senior Class President and Homecoming King of his graduating class of 1941, at Peabody High. Moreover, Bill and his high school sweetheart, Mildred Carver, were voted Mr. & Mrs. B, which they later made into reality. Bill often said that his senior year of high school was one of the best in his life. Aside from being a good student, Bill excelled as an athlete and was an avid runner and excellent baseball player. A year after graduating, he started college at the University of Pittsburgh and joined ROTC while becoming an all American in baseball. He played in the minor leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1942. However, in 1943, Bill followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and was called up to the U.S. Army. He proudly served in World War II as a 1st Lieutenant and was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Bill rarely spoke of his time in the service, though his war wounds were evidence of the tragedies he endured. It was because of these injuries that Bill was never able to return to playing baseball. Once home from the war, Bill continued preparing for his future and pursued an accounting degree at the University of Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, he continued to serve his country in the Army Reserves. In the fall of 1946, Bill married his longtime sweetheart, Mildred, on September 6th, and they honeymooned in New York City. A year later, Bill received his B.A. degree in Accounting and put it to good use as an Accountant for Allegheny Ludlum Steel. With a good job under his belt, he and Mildred bought their first home at 300 Orin Street in Pittsburgh, where they would raise their six children: Richard (1947), Janet (1948), Dave (1951), Scott (1954), Kimberly (1957) and Tim (1963). Sadly, two of their children, Richard and Kimberly, were born mentally retarded, and the couple did everything they could to keep them at home with the family. Bill was even appointed by the Governor to a special commission through the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children. Just as his life was coming together, Bill was called back to active duty in the Army on his birthday in 1950. He never had to serve in the war overseas in Korea, but instead he trained troops in Kentucky. He returned home to his family in 1953. Thereafter, time together as a family was always very important to Bill and Mildred, and every year, they took an unforgettable two-week vacation to Ocean City, New Jersey and stayed in the Lincoln Hotel. The family was active members in the Methodist faith, and after Sunday worship, they always had dinner at Granddaddy Browns house. In January 1965, Bill moved his family to Crystal Lake, Illinois, where he took a job to help save the failing steel company called Marengo Steel. After some time, the family moved back to Pittsburgh for a year before moving to Muskegon, Michigan in 1968. Here, Bill secured a job as a Controller with Howmet Corporation and the family made their home at 3966 Norton Hills Road. Bill was always very close with his parents, and it was truly heartbreaking for him when his mother, Leona, died in 1972, two years after losing his first grandchild Susan. His sorrow did not end there; he then lost his father and daughter, Kimberly, in 1981. Despite his devastation, Bill carried on for his family. After retiring from Howmet in 1983, after 15 years of service, he and Mildred began to travel more extensively and enjoyed trips to Israel and Europe, and had a condo in Florida. Bill liked to stay active playing golf and even won the senior division Lincoln Club Golf Tournament at the age of 70. He was also a lifelong fan of all the Pittsburgh sports teams. In 1997, Bill once again endured a devastating heartbreak when he lost his beloved wife, Mildred, after 50 years of marriage. Bill was never truly the same again, and his health began to gradually decline. His son, Tim, cared for him after Mildreds death. Bill led a life saturated with honesty, integrity and respect. He was many things in his life a hard worker, an advocate, and a devoted family man. Those close to Bill knew how much they meant to him, if not by his words, then by his actions of love and dedication. He will be deeply missed. William G. Brown Jr., age 84, died on Thursday, June 5, 2008. He is survived by his sons, Richard Brown of PA, David (Char) Brown of Roosevelt Park, Scott (Kathy) Brown of Whitehall, Timothy Brown of Norton Shores; daughter, Janet (Mark) Fritz of Trego, WI; 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mildred; daughter, Kimberly Brown; and granddaughter, Susan. Services for Bill will be held on Tuesday, June 10, at 11:00 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church with Rev. Randall Hansen officiating. Friends and relatives may visit with his family on Monday, June 9, from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central United Methodist Church Endowment Fund. Please visit Bills memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book.