William Irvin Brady

WORLD-RENOWNED ART GALLERIST

William Irvin Brady, 55, beloved son, brother, uncle, friend, and husband, passed away on April 30, 2023, in Fort Myers, FL, following complications from his asthma.

Bill was born September 22, 1967, to Patricia and Charles Brady in Kansas City, MO. He attended St. Thomas More Grade School and Rockhurst and Grandview High Schools. Growing up he was involved in Boy Scouts and loved camping, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors. His postsecondary studies included a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute, a Fellowship at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine, and a Master of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

During his initial postgraduate years, Bill worked with young students at a Kansas City charter high school, and found great meaning in instilling in them his own love of art. He eventually moved to New York City, where he worked at the Guggenheim Museum and then at the Chase Manhattan Art Collection. He eventually left the corporate world to open his first gallery, ATM Gallery in New York’s East Village. He never looked back, opening several more galleries in New York, Kansas City, Miami, and Los Angeles.

Bill so loved the arts. Throughout his more than 25 years as a gallerist, he had a profound impact on the art community that extended around the world. He maintained a deep connection to others who shared his passion, and he was known for his ability to recognize thought-provoking work. He particularly loved spotlighting emerging artists, facilitating their introductions to the art scene, and shepherding their continued development. Bill’s nurturing quality helped launch many successful careers. His contributions to the art world continue to be recognized by his friends and colleagues as they share their personal experiences with Bill and the pain of losing him.

Bill was an artist himself and recently planned to take up painting again. He also had many other lifelong passions: He deeply enjoyed world travel, the company of his friends, the beach—especially watching the sun rise over the ocean, skateboarding, snowboarding, yoga, golfing, and so many other things starting with sunrises and ending with sunsets. He loved his sweets and pastries, he never shied away from a political debate and, to borrow his mother’s words, he always danced to the beat of his own drummer. He possessed an innate spirituality that was perfectly embodied in his tall stature and beautiful blue eyes.

Bill’s siblings will never forget how he, the oldest of five, paved the way for them. He was the fearless leader, who everyone looked up to and counted on for his wisdom and support. All his loved ones will forever remember his generosity and kindness, his devotion to his parents, his love of kinship and conversation, and his infectious laugh.

Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents, aunts, and uncles. He is survived by his wife, Young Mee Kang; his parents, Patricia and Charles Brady; his siblings, Deborah Collins, Pauline (Mark) Shugart, Donald (Lisa) Brady, and Mitzi (Chris) Gobbi; and his nieces and nephews, Parker and Miranda Collins, Macy, Jacob and Charlie Brady, and Colin and Benjamin Gobbi.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 26, 2023, from 10:00-11:00 AM at St. Thomas More, 11822 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM and reception to follow. The service will be livestreamed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one of the following in honor of Bill:

American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601, or online at:

https://action.lung.org/site/TR/Events/General?pxfid=178249&fr_id=1080&pg=fund

Grandview Education Foundation, P.O. Box 546, Grandview, MO 64030, or online at:

https://givebutter.com/BillBradyVisualArtFund

Contributions will be allocated to the Grandview High School Art Department where Bill developed his passion for art.