BILL BROWN George William “Bill” Brown was born in Fort Worth, Texas, January 15, 1945. At, 66, he was tenderly let go into the loving arms of Jesus on March 21, 2011 surrounded in love by his family at his home in Grandview.
Funeral: 10:00 A.M. Friday at First United Methodist Church of Grandview. Visitation: 6-8 P.M. Thursday at Mayfield Kiser Funeral Home in Burleson. Burial: Grandview Cemetery.
Bill’s passion for over 40 years was ranching and raising Santa Gertrudis cattle, a love passed down to him from his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Karen said he bought his first Gert cow shortly after they were married in 1968; he joined SGBI in 1981 Herd# 7765, and built his herd from there. He was very active in many areas of the Santa Gertrudis family; he served as affiliate President of the Premiere Santa Gertrudis Association and on their Board of Directors in different capacities during his more than 30 years of involvement with the breed. He loved showing cattle with his daughters and nieces and he enabled a number of kids to raise and show their own heifers.
Bill always had a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone he met, his wit & humor will be missed. He was generous in so many different ways, we will carry him in our hearts for years to come, as we go to a cattle sale or show and think of him; we are all much richer for having had him in our lives.
Bill is survived by his wife of 43 years, Karen Gooch Brown, two daughters and their spouses, Shanna Mattson and Blake of Waco and Shellie Ahrens and John of Fort Worth; his grandchildren Carlyn and Courtland Mattson, who were a significant part of his life; brothers Ben James Brown and Betty Willis of Weatherford, Tommy Michael Brown and Nancy of Hurst; sister Jeannette Brown Connor and Michael of Hico; nieces Heather Brown Bush, Melinda Brown, Nicole Connor, and Megan Connor, whom he very much adored. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben Austin Brown and Jeanette Townsend “Polly” Brown.
Bill was “Who’s Who” in Basketball and voted “Friendliest” in his senior class, he graduated from L.D. Bell High School in 1962. He played basketball at Del Mar Junior College and graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in 1970. Bill’s first job out of school was with J.C. Penney. From there he went on to work at Bell Helicopter International, Peterbilt, and ultimately opened “Salads & Such” restaurant in Hurst. It was sold in 2001 to allow Bill and Karen to retire to the country.
Memorial Scholarship contributions can be mailed to the Santa Gertrudis office at P O Box 1257 Kingsville 78364 or call the office for help at 361-592-9357.
Karen and her family wish to express their deep appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and other caregivers, as well as the many friends and family who have helped Bill during his hard-fought battle with cancer.