William David “Bill” Brown, Jr., 85, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Sunday, February 5, 2017, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Wednesday, February 8, 2017, at First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald with Dr. Jerry Mahan and the Rev. Blane Jacobs officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM, Tuesday evening in the chapel of Paulk Funeral Home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Brown was born February 5, 1932, in Byron, Georgia, to the late William David & Lucy Cleopatra Hallman Brown. He was a 1949 graduate of Fitzgerald High School and earned a Bachelor in Business Education from Georgia Southern College in 1952. He taught commercial subjects at Screven High School in Sylvania for a year following his graduation. Mr. Brown served his country honorably in the United States Army as a personnel management specialist during the Korean War era. He began his career in finance as a cost accountant at the USMC Supply Center in Albany before serving as assistant cashier and appraiser for Albany Savings Bank. Mr. Brown moved to Fitzgerald as assistant cashier and appraiser for First State Bank in 1958. Two years later, he joined Fitzgerald Federal Savings & Loan Association where he worked for 22 years, attaining the position of managing officer, president, and chief appraiser. In 1982, Mr. Brown became vice-president and branch manager of Fulton Federal Savings & Loan, retiring from banking in 1983. He served on the board of the Georgia Savings & Loan Association. Following his retirement, he began W.D. Brown Appraisal Service and worked in property appraising throughout the area for over 30 years until December, 2016. He was a devoted supporter of the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County community serving many years as treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the zoning board, as well as being a part of many other community organizations. He was instrumental in bringing about several economic development projects and the beginnings of Ben Hill-Irwin Tech, now Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Mr. Brown was an avid fisherman and hunter who enjoyed camping and spending time on the river. He was an accomplished musician as well having played in college with the Emma Kelly Band, the Rock Waters Band, as well as the band and jazz ensemble at Georgia Southern College. Many in our area will remember dancing the night away to the sounds of Bill Brown and the Rhythm Masters. Mr. Brown was a long-time member of First Baptist Church, having started attending at age 4 and joining the church at age 12. He played in the orchestra, was a deacon, and served as treasurer.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Ollie Fulford Brown of Fitzgerald, his children: Debra Brown Weil and husband Mike of Fitzgerald, Deena Brown Smith and husband Reese of Fayetteville, Shannon McLeod Deen and husband John of Fitzgerald, and John David McLeod of Bolingbroke; grandchildren: Melissa Hall Cowan & Daniel, Allison Hall Nicolelli & Justin, Natalie Hall King & Adam, Reese Smith, III, Will Smith, Christian Meadows, Alex Meadows, Megan McLeod, and Emma McLeod; great-grandchildren: Matthew Cowan, Caden Cowan, Lane Nicolelli, and Brooklyn Cowan; and a brother, Bob Hallman of Fitzgerald. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, David William Brown.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials, may send them to First Baptist Church Music Ministry, P O Box 367, Fitzgerald, Georgia, 31750.