Obituary for William "Bill" L. Brown
William “Bill” L. Brown, 80, of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Monday, September 6, 2021. He was born October 10, 1940, the son of Claude Brown and Willie Covey (Sanderson) in Jackson, Tennessee.
His parents moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1952 were he and his siblings were raised and attended Benton Harbor Public Schools. He graduated from Benton Harbor High in 1958. Early on in his adult life he married Lavera Brown (Freeman) in 1960 and the two moved to Battle Creek, Michigan. The Couple were married for 61 years until his passing. Out of this union, 6 children were born whom he leaves to cherish. Robert Brown (deceased), Angela Brown of Vernon, Connecticut; Stevie (Bonnie) Brown of West Covina, California; Carla (Derek) Charleston of Battle Creek, Michigan; Michael (Angela) Brown of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Lynette Brown of Battle Creek, Michigan.
He accepted Christ at an early age in Benton Harbor, Michigan and became a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Battle Creek, Michigan. He later joined Community Missionary Baptist Church which is where remained a member until his passing. He was an active member for many years of Strothers Lodge No.3. He was also very active in his children education and proudly served as past president of the Lincoln Elementary school PTA.
He was a hard worker and a devoted family man. He continued on to Kellogg community and college and started his career at the V.A Medical Center, Clark Equipment and lastly retiring from Kraft foods (Post) after 22 years of employment. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, traveling, hunting, tinkering around the house and spending time with his family and friends.
He leaves behind to cherish one sister, Alma (Charles Deceased) Clay of Glendale, Arizona; one brother, George “Dino” (Elaine) of Brandon, Florida; five sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Modie (Julius (Deceased) McKee of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Lodie (William (Deceased) Elliott of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Odell (Robert) Mitchell of Indianapolis, Indiana; Frankie (Deceased) Crawford; Clydella (Penny) Freeman of Battle Creek, Michigan; Anita (Tiny) Freeman of Benton Harbor, Michigan. He also leaves behind a host of beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren as well as great and great, great grandchildren. He is remembered by special friends Donald Lewis, O.D Collins, Robert Nash, Andrew Williams and Richard Randall.
He is preceded in death by his father, Claude Brown; mother, Willie Sanderson; brothers, Cornelius (RIP) Brown and Gary Sanderson, and son, Robert Brown.
Visitation will be held at the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service, 375 W. Dickman Road, on Monday September 13, 2021, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held at the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service, 375 West Dickman Road, on Tuesday September 14,2021, at 12:00 pm.
His parents moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1952 were he and his siblings were raised and attended Benton Harbor Public Schools. He graduated from Benton Harbor High in 1958. Early on in his adult life he married Lavera Brown (Freeman) in 1960 and the two moved to Battle Creek, Michigan. The Couple were married for 61 years until his passing. Out of this union, 6 children were born whom he leaves to cherish. Robert Brown (deceased), Angela Brown of Vernon, Connecticut; Stevie (Bonnie) Brown of West Covina, California; Carla (Derek) Charleston of Battle Creek, Michigan; Michael (Angela) Brown of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Lynette Brown of Battle Creek, Michigan.
He accepted Christ at an early age in Benton Harbor, Michigan and became a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Battle Creek, Michigan. He later joined Community Missionary Baptist Church which is where remained a member until his passing. He was an active member for many years of Strothers Lodge No.3. He was also very active in his children education and proudly served as past president of the Lincoln Elementary school PTA.
He was a hard worker and a devoted family man. He continued on to Kellogg community and college and started his career at the V.A Medical Center, Clark Equipment and lastly retiring from Kraft foods (Post) after 22 years of employment. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, traveling, hunting, tinkering around the house and spending time with his family and friends.
He leaves behind to cherish one sister, Alma (Charles Deceased) Clay of Glendale, Arizona; one brother, George “Dino” (Elaine) of Brandon, Florida; five sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Modie (Julius (Deceased) McKee of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Lodie (William (Deceased) Elliott of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Odell (Robert) Mitchell of Indianapolis, Indiana; Frankie (Deceased) Crawford; Clydella (Penny) Freeman of Battle Creek, Michigan; Anita (Tiny) Freeman of Benton Harbor, Michigan. He also leaves behind a host of beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren as well as great and great, great grandchildren. He is remembered by special friends Donald Lewis, O.D Collins, Robert Nash, Andrew Williams and Richard Randall.
He is preceded in death by his father, Claude Brown; mother, Willie Sanderson; brothers, Cornelius (RIP) Brown and Gary Sanderson, and son, Robert Brown.
Visitation will be held at the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service, 375 W. Dickman Road, on Monday September 13, 2021, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held at the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service, 375 West Dickman Road, on Tuesday September 14,2021, at 12:00 pm.