Rev. William "Bill" Edward Brown

Reverend William Edward “Bill” Brown, age 76, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, September 2nd, 2012. He was under the care of Westwood Nursing Center and Hospice Advantage. Bill was a native of Anniston, Alabama and had attended Howard College and New Orleans Theological Baptist Seminary. Throughout his ministry, Brother Bill served several churches, moving to Savannah, Ga. in 1968 to Ardsley Park Baptist Church; 1969 to Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Statesboro, where he served for 14 years. In 1982, he was called to Sisters Baptist Church in Sandersville where he served for 14 years and then to Elam Baptist Church in Millen for eight years until his retirement. In addition to his service as a pastor, Rev. Brown served as chaplain for the Statesboro Police Department, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol for over 40 years. He was a member of the Temple Hill Baptist Church. Rev. Brown was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Mildred Vinson Brown and a sister, Bettye Brown Hicks.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Shirley Rogers Brown of Statesboro; two daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret B. and Byron Hill of Statesboro and Annette and Ron Kolbe of Statesboro, GA; three grandchildren William L. Kolbe, Patrick G. Kolbe and Kevin M. Kolbe; a great granddaughter Lillian Rose Kolbe all of Statesboro, GA; a brother James Ralph (JR) Brown of Pearl, MS; several nieces and nephews also survive.

The visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Eastern Heights Baptist Church with Rev. Carlton Hendrix and Rev. Gene Brown officiating.

The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in Bulloch Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Jack Todd, Brooks Nichols, Joe Cheney, Jerry Fordham, Horace Harrell, R.D. Dickey, Stacey Freeman and Stan York.

Honorary pallbearers will be all Baptist Ministers.

Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

This is a courtesy announcement of the May & Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville.