William Edgar Brown
William E. “Bill” Brown
Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at the age of 91. Loving husband of the late Patricia Brawley Brown, father of Barbara Rees, Janet Brown, and Liddy Paasch; father-in-law of Gary Rees, Paul Reuter, and Kurt Paasch; grandfather of Christopher (Hannah), Andrew, and Nicholas (Katie) Rees and of Mollie Brown, and great-grandfather of Elizabeth and Margaret Rees. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dance St Louis education fund (www.dancestlouis.org), the Sheldon Arts Foundation education fund (www.thesheldon.org), or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org.)
Bill was born in Pottsville Pa. and grew up with his brother Bob and his sister Molly, spending cherished summers on the beach at Ocean City, NJ. He was proud of the medals he earned during his three years of service in the Army during World War II, stationed in the Philippines, where he played trombone in the military band and the officers’ dance band of the 25th Infantry division.
He met the love of his life, Pat Brawley, at Penn State while completing his college degree under the GI Bill. They married in 1947 in Altoona, PA, and settled in Sewickley, PA outside Pittsburgh where he began his career in insurance adjusting. They moved to Des Peres, MO outside St Louis in 1959, where they raised their three daughters. He rose to the position of president of the Claims Managers Council, and later started his own small business in claims adjusting for self-insured companies.
He was a talented woodworker and a dedicated handy man. His barbecued pork, best served with a Manhattan, was justly famous. He and Pat were a formidable team at bridge for many years, and were ballroom dance enthusiasts from their first date through their retirement years. He was devoted to making himself useful to his family, friends, and neighbors. This devotion is reflected in his decision to donate his body to the St Louis University Medical School, making himself useful even after death.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 19 at 11 am at Sunrise Senior Living of Des Peres, 13460 Manchester Rd, St Louis MO 63131. Sunrise Senior Living of Des Peres is one block east of Barrett Station Road on Manchester Rd. East, at the Royal Acres sign on the right.
He won the game: a family who loved him and for whom he would have done almost anything, a significant and successful career, friends, interests. Bill was the best father I could have hoped for. His adage, “Anything worth doing is worth doing right”, inspired me to try my best and to keep trying until I got right. A man with as much energy and zest for life can’t be forgotten. Good bye for now, Dad.
“Uncle Bill” was the best part of my childhood. A rare treat, because he lived so far away, a visit from my godfather and his family was always the highlight of my year.
I loved him like crazy and missed him most of the time. I can only imagine how much the people who shared so many years with him will miss him.
My Grandpa Bill was the best grandfather I could have ever asked for. Some of my earliest memories were in his basement playing Barbies and paper dolls with him and even him building furniture for my dolls. He contributed to my love of antique model trains and cars and perhaps my stubborness as well. I am gratefu for the many years I had with him and escpecially grateful that I could be there for him in his final moments on this earth. Until we meet again…
I feel so lucky to have had my dad around for so many years. When I was a child, he was the dad who taught the neighborhood kids to dive, to walk on their hands, and to do flips. In high school and university days, he was the tough guy who stood by the screen door as we wished our dates good night with a polite handshake. As a a grandfather who usually lived hours away, he attended his grandsons’ soccer games, First Communions, and graduations. He always had time to tell them stories about WWII, and whenever there was a problem, large or small, he was there to solve it. Without his sense of humor, determination (some might call it stubbornness,) and energy, life will never be the same. Be well, Dad, and give Mom a hug for me.
My memories of Uncle Bill are filled with nothing but happiness….sunbathing by the ocean, playing quoits and body surfing for hours on end, seafood dinners followed by long walks on the boardwalk or playing games back at the house. In the late ’90’s I visited the Browns in St Louis. It was then that I learned about his superior pool shooting and woodworking skills. He was a wonderful, loving uncle and will be in my heart forever.
Bill was a great music lover and woodworker who combined these skills to beautifully refinish a double bass and rebuild an old music stand. He was a fierce gin rummy and pool player, a skilled barbecuer and Manhattan maker, and super handyman who was always willing to help fix a problem. Most importantly, he was a good man whom we loved deeply and will miss greatly.
When I moved in next to Bill and Pat, I was a first-time homeowner. Could not have asked for better neighbors than those two! Bill taught me a lot about yard work and Pat was always very supportive! My condolences to all of you on your loss.