Bill Brown died at Hospice of the Golden Isles on January 1, 2022. He celebrated his 103rd birthday there on December 3, 2021. He was born on December 3, 1918, at the Dart family home built by his grandfather that stood at 4 Glynn Avenue in Brunswick. He was the first born of five children of Simon Hadley Brown and Ethel Gray Dart Brown. He graduated from Glynn Academy in 1937. He graduated from Emory University in 1943 with a degree in business administration. In 1945 he became a Realtor, sharing an office with his father, before Georgia required real estate licenses.
In 1946, Bill married Margaret Ann Johnston of Statesboro, GA, who was the Glynn Academy home economics teacher. She soon joined him in the real estate business at Bill Brown Realty. In 1954 Bill was issued Georgia real estate license #284. Sixty-eight years later, he still held that license, the oldest active license in the state.
In the late 50s, Bill and Margaret Ann transitioned their business to commercial real estate, managing business leases and listing and selling commercial buildings, some multiple times. Bill was always passionate about the success of Brunswick and the Golden Isles. He served as president of the Golden Isles Association of Realtors multiple times, on the board of the Pilot Commission for 50 years, and on the Board of Trustees for Epworth by the Sea for over 40 years. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of Brunswick.
Bill is survived by his daughter Marian (Jack) Lawlor, his daughter-in-law Joy Brown, his grandsons Hadley (Heather) Brown, Patrick (Abby) Lawlor, and David (Melanie) Lawlor, and great-grandchildren Harley Brown and Rivers and Quinn Lawlor. In addition, he is survived by his brother Bob Brown, his sister Sara Ratcliffe, and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his wife Margaret Ann, his son Bill Brown, Jr, his dear friends Peggy Cate and Madge DeMay, and his sisters Jane Drossos and Delia Schlosser.
In his later years, Bill became a popular local historian of the Golden Isles, earning him chapters in several books, including Georgia Witness and Brunswick, A Book of Memories, which he proudly shared with all he met who were new to the area, as well as locals interested in the history of the Golden Isles. Bill worked hard to revive downtown Brunswick, connecting newcomers, longtime residents, chamber members and city officials to support the effort.
Bill had a very fulfilling life by living this advice: 1. Talk less and listen more. You don’t learn much when you’re talking. 2. Find something you like to do and work hard at it. 3. When you start earning income, spend to acquire, not to impress.
For Bill, laughter was always the best medicine. In fact, he wrote his own epitaph: “Here lies Bill Brown. He loved to laugh and tell a joke!”
Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church of Brunswick on Saturday, January 8, at 2pm, with interment to follow at Palmetto Cemetery. At the request of family, masks will be required for the service. For your convenience the service will be livestreamed at www.letsbefirst.church and follow the link to watch live.
Active Pallbearers during the service will be W. Hadley Brown III, Patrick M. Lawlor, Don Dart, Matt Dart, Beau Dart, Eric Igel, John C. Lawlor, and David J. Lawlor.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Kiwanis Club members of Brunswick, Epworth by the Sea Board of Trustees, the Board members of Bar Harbor Pilots Association, also Joel Willis and Wayne Racz.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bill’s name to Hospice of the Golden Isles, First United Methodist Church of Brunswick, or Epworth by the Sea.
Edo Miller and Sons is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the register book and leave condolences for the family at www.edomillerandsons.com
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