William J. “Bill” Brown, 96, of Rochester, and formerly of Kokomo, passed away at 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at Woodlawn Hospital in Rochester.
He was born October 14, 1928, in Delaware, Ohio, to Harry Morton and Myna Dell (Marlott) Brown. On June 22, 1952, he married Eloise Weiker, in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and she survives.
Bill was a 1947 graduate of Tiffin Columbian High School and graduated from Heidelberg University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts. He went on to serve in the United States Air Force, from 1951 to 1953, attaining the rank of Air Cadet 2nd Class, and following his military service, worked for Delco Electronics as an engineer for 35 years before retiring in 1987. He also worked for Rupp and Bowman as a salesman and RCA Electronics as an engineer. He was a member of the Elks, the Moose, Toastmasters International, the American Institute of Engineers, the Boy Scouts of America, the American Legion, and the Masons. He served on the board of directors for the Methodist Church, the YMCA in Findlay, Ohio, and Weiker Grain, and as past president of the Maple Crest PTA and AIIE at Purdue. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and boating.
In addition to his wife of 72 years, Eloise Brown, survivors include his daughters, Cathy B. (Randy) Griffin, Susan K. (Tim) Garner, Deborah L. (Doug) Segraves, and Rebecca L. (Steve) Mischak; son, William J. (Anne) Brown, Jr.; grandchildren, Marley (Michael) Fagg, Joe (Tabatha) Griffin, Mason (Emily) Griffin, Cora (Caleb) Grounds, David (Mariah) Conner, Drew (Cassy) Conner, Jordan (Lucie) Garner, Lindsey (Mike) Carnicella, Kim (Jay) Black, Beth (Jesse) Dority, Nicole Mischak, Grace Mischak, Molly Brown, and Harry Brown; and 25 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Merry Lou Tonseth; great-grandchild, Peyton Dority; and life-long friend, Harvey J. Eikenberry.
Funeral services will be held at Noon on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, with Pastor Riley Case officiating.
Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery, in Kokomo, with military honors provided by the United States Air Force.
Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 a.m. to Noon on Friday at the funeral home.
Contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to the Fulton County Animal Adoption & Education Center, 1504 N. Wentzel St., Rochester, IN 46975, or ConneXion Church, 700 E. Southway Blvd., Kokomo, IN 46902.
Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.
