William S. Brown

Deacon William S. Brown was born July 28, 1937 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  He was the fifth child born to the late Ruley and Gertrude Brown.  After an extended illness, Deacon Brown peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at PRISMA Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina.

Deacon Brown was reared in Spartanburg County and educated in Spartanburg County District 6 public schools.  He was a proud 1956 graduate of Lincoln High School, where he played football, participated in the 4-H Club, and served as a bus driver.  While in high school, Deacon Brown also was employed at the well-known Beacon Drive-In, located at the intersection of John White Blvd. and JC Stroble Blvd., which is named after his deceased brother in-law. To many who knew him personally, he was affectionally nicknamed Rooster, Chew Brown, Brown Mule, and Bill.  After high school, Deacon Brown attended South Carolina State University, where he met the love of his life, Emma J. Brown.  He began his professional career teaching in Bowman, Orangeburg County, SC for two years, then transitioned to Ethyl Chemical Corporation/Albemarle Corporation, and retired from there after 42 years of service.

Deacon Brown surrendered his life to Christ at an early age at Thompson Street Baptist Church in Spartanburg.  He later joined Gospel Temple of Deliverance Church, where he actively served in a variety of  senior care ministries, and enjoyed witnessing the goodness and love of  God to all whom he came in contact with.  Deacon Brown found immense pleasure in sharing the gospel with God’s people; attending retiree and community functions; and supporting a variety of civic clubs, to include Orangeburg Chapter of AARP, Boys and Girls Club; and spending time with his family, former work colleges, and friends.

Deacon Brown was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Will and Lucinda Byrd Brown; his maternal grandparents, Jame and Sarah Lipton Dawkins; his wife, Emma; his brothers, Ruley, Jr. and Johnny Frank; his sisters, Ethel Brown, Sarah Moss, Evelyn Knuckles, and Aneice (Milton) Mayo; son, Robert Felder; and grandson Trevin Felder.

Deacon Brown leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories to his dedicated and loving sisters, Robay Stroble and Ronay (Warren) Jackson; his daughter, Jean Gilyard; his sister in-laws, Rosebud Bradley and Zulind Alston; his special friends Forrest Blunt, Rose Hinds and Judy Stokes; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, and  nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

The service will proceed as follow:

The viewing will be held at Glover's Funeral Home Friday,April 3,2020 2:00pm until 7:00pm.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 4,2020 at Belleville Memorial Gardens beginning at 2:00pm.

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