Bill Brown

Keyser, WV

Bill Brown of Keyser, West Virginia, age 85, died at his home on June 11, 2017 after an extended illness.

He was born in Piedmont, West Virginia on October 4, 1931 and was the son of Homer R. Brown and Mary Ann Adams Brown.  He had two sisters, Margaret Brown and Mary Louise Brown “Brownie” Lucas, both deceased.   He attended Bruce High School and graduated from Piedmont High School in 1948 while living with his Aunts:  Phyllis Adams and Bernadette Adams Vogtman.  Following graduation, he enlisted in the Navy during the Korean conflict and served for 8 years in the Naval Submarine Corp.  He married June Stakem from Lonaconing in 1952.  They had 3 sons, Denny, Jeff and Mitch.  Bill was a lifelong member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Piedmont, West Virginia where he was very active with the youth of the church and community through the youth group, church basketball league, Boy Scouts and the Methodist Children’s .02Home in Burlington, West Virginia.  While working with the Methodist Children’s Home, Bill and June had two very special young women that they helped throughout their lives, Jeannie Cox and Patti Popp.  In addition to his work with the youth of the church, Bill was very involved in the building project for the education building at the church.

He worked for Columbia Gas for 38 years and after retiring, he worked as the Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority for 10 years.  Bill also taught accounting part-time at Potomac State University.

He is survived by his three sons, three daughters-in-law, Carla, Mitzy and Johna, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  Granddaughter Jessica Brown Amoruso is married to Chris Amoruso and has three children:  Jenna, Christopher and Jeramiah.  The three grandsons are:  Ryan Brown of Euless, Texas, Devin Brown of Falling Waters, WV, and Austin Brown of Keyser.  Denny and Carla live in New Creek, Mitch and Johna live in Westernport and Jeff and Mitzy live in Falling Waters, WV.  He is also survived by his first cousins:  Barbara Jean Smith of Keyser and Donna Lou Cave of Baltimore and his nieces:  Vicki Lucas of Baltimore and Christy Lucas Wright of Houston, Texas.
Bill loved the outdoors and could often be found at his camp on Patterson’s Creek.  He truly was a man with great integrity and had a steadfast commitment to his family, friends, church and community.  He will be greatly missed by all but his legacy of service will be continued through his family and the many lives that he impacted through his lifelong service to his community and church.

Friends and family will be received at the Boal Funeral Home, Westernport, MD, on Wednesday, June 14th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM.  A funeral service will be conducted at Trinity United Methodist Church, Piedmont, on Thursday, June 15th at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Steve Grimes officiating, with a one hour visitation prior to service.  Interment will be in Philos Cemetery, Westernport, MD.