K. B. (Bill) Brown, 88, passed away Monday, March 3 after several years of failing health and 3 weeks of critical health. Bill was born March 8, 1936, the twelfth of twelve children to Ora Maude Shelton Brown and Archie Thomas Brown.
Growing up in tobacco farming country of Pittsylvania County, VA, he and his siblings learned at an early age the meaning of hard work and doing what was necessary to put food on the table.
Bill moved to Burlington in 1956 to work at what was then Western Electric (later Lucent Technologies). He was drafted into the Army and served two years from 1959-1961. Bill later joined Duke Power (now Duke Energy) and worked in the engineering department. Watching and learning from his older brother, Richard, Bill was always fascinated with seeing houses built. He said there was nothing more rewarding than seeing a house grow from foundation to completion. To this end, after acquiring his contractor’s license, Bill Brown Construction Co. was formed and he was active in this trade until retiring in 2009.
Active in the Homebuilders Association, he served on both local and state boards. Elected twice as the President of the local Homebuilders Association, he was also named Builder of the Year twice. He was presented their most prestigious award, The Ray Whitesell Lifetime Achievement for his overall dedication, contributions and advancement of the building profession. He was always active and aggressively promoted the annual Builders Parade of Homes.
Later in life, he gave up his love of playing league and community baseball and softball and switched to golf. Thus began a 30 plus year love/hate relationship all golfers experience with that game. The friends he made playing golf, the trips and tournaments, the camaraderie was what kept him going back week after week. Some of his most enduring friendships were formed on the golf courses.
Bill was a member of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Graham. Until his health started to fail, he enjoyed participating in Sunday School, men’s gatherings and just being at church. He said it was a place from the first time he attended that felt like a place you could belong, a place you were made to feel at home.
Bill is survived by Helen, his loving wife of 43 years and many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Harry, Carlton, Richard, James Thomas, Melvin Lacy, Stacy and Glenn and sisters, Virginia Terry, Janie Ragsdale, Violet Clark, and Garnet Rowland.
A visitation will be held from 10:45 until 11:45 a.m. at Rich & Thompson Funeral Service in Graham followed by a service of Celebration and Remembrance at 12:00 noon in the funeral home chapel on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Burial will follow at Graham Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bethany Presbyterian Church, 1500 S. Main Street, Graham, NC 27253 or Residential Treatment Services (RTSA), P.O. Box 427, Burlington, NC 27216 or to the charity of one’s choice.
