William Lee Brown Obituary (1927 - 2020)

William L. "Bill" Brown, 92, longtime resident of Hagerstown, Indiana passed away in Madisonville, KY on May 26, 2020. Bill was born in Seymour, Indiana on August 5, 1927 to the late Carlos and Gertrude Brown. He was a 1945 graduate of Seymour High School. After high school, Bill joined the Navy, ran his father's car and truck repair business and attended Purdue University. He earned his Mechanical Engineering degree from Purdue University in 1957 and eventually his Professional Engineer certification. He started working at Perfect Circle in 1957 which later became Dana Corporation and retired in 1992. He married Iona Belle Bertram of Hagerstown in 1959. She preceded him in death on August 3, 2000. While living in Hagerstown, he was a longtime member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Hagerstown Optimist Club, and the Indiana Society of Professional Engineers, Whitewater Valley Chapter. Bill served on the board of the Hagerstown Jefferson Township Public Library including several years as Library Board President. More recently, he was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Madisonville, KY. As an avid golfer, he was a member of Hartley Hills Country Club for many years. He was a devoted fan of Purdue football and basketball. He also enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters. Bill is survived by his three daughters, Kathleen Lee Swiantek (Randy) of Grand Blanc, MI, Debra Jo Brown and Patricia Lynn Brown, both of Madisonville, KY and a son, Thomas William Brown (Lisa) of Summerville, SC, granddaughters Kristen Swiantek, Iona Brown, Esmae Brown, Brooklyn Rednour, and numerous nieces and nephews and their children. He was preceded in death by twin brother Robert C., brothers Donald G., and James E. Brown, and sister Betty Jo Heubi. Visitation, with observation of social distancing will be Sunday, May 31, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with prayers beginning at 5 p.m. at Culberson Funeral Home, 51 South Washington Street, Hagerstown, IN. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, June 1, 2020 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, 333 W. Maple Street, Cambridge City, IN followed by burial at Brick Church Cemetery. Donations may be made to Christ the King Catholic School, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, Hagerstown Optimist Club or the Hagerstown Jefferson Township Public Library. Special thanks to Bill's caregivers, Pat Churchwell, Joanne Eastwood, and Mark Missig for their loving care and support, especially in the last few months.