William Brown Obituary

William (Bill) Wallace Brown passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at his home in Urbandale, Iowa. He was 93 years old.

Bill was born on May 22, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to Clarence and Laura Brown. He grew up with his brother and three sisters on the south side of Chicago in the suburbs known as Ivanhoe and Riverdale. He was the youngest of the five, having been born 15 minutes after his twin sister Louise. Bill attended Thornton Township High School, graduating in 1948. He went on to Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, where he received his B.A. in Accounting in 1952. He was on the college tennis team and carried on playing tennis long after college.

Upon graduation Bill was required to register with the United States Selective Service, as the Korean War was in progress. He was issued a “4-F” classification due to many bouts with osteomyelitis during his youth. Instead of military service Bill went to work as a Cost Accountant at US Steel. Then, in 1955 he accepted a job as an office manager at Illinois Bell. And in 1963, he took a job at The Quaker Oats Company, where he spent the next 26 years managing the marketing budget, monitoring spending on things like coupons, TV, radio, magazine and newspaper advertising, among other things. He worked closely with brand managers to accomplish their objectives on time and within budget, and was well respected by his peers and managers throughout his long employment with Quaker. He retired from Quaker in 1989, working a few temporary jobs over the next few years before settling down for a long and well-deserved rest.

Bill married the love of his life, Marion Louise Ladwig on June 1, 1957. Bill and Marion raised four children in Oak Park, Illinois. They were members of Grace Lutheran Church where Bill participated in the Men’s Club, served as an usher, attended Adult Christian Education classes, and helped count the offering. He kept the kids in line in the second pew every Sunday while Marion was singing in the choir. He loved Grace Church and School, continuing to support both financially throughout his adult life. Most importantly, he was a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.

Bill will be remembered as a gentle, kind, and extremely generous man. He was moved by those in need, and loved to try to help financially according to his means. He could easily disarm you with his humor, and had a sharp wit that did not cut. He always made you feel welcome and loved. He loved playing poker, or any card game. Many of his friends were made at work and church, and they often bonded over a friendly game of cards. He was a long-suffering Bears fan and was over the moon when they won the Super Bowl in 1986.

Bill is survived by his four children: Bill Brown of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, David Brown of Adel, Iowa, Dale Brown (Lisa) of Arlington Heights, Illinois and Lisa Carlson nee Brown (late Eric) of Urbandale, Iowa; seven grandchildren: Emily Kullen nee Carlson, Ben Carlson, Amy Carlson, Grace Carlson, Erin Brown, Liam Brown and Shannon Brown; two great-grandchildren: Wallace Kullen and Willow Kullen, and one more great-grandchild on the way; plus many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Clarence and Laura Brown; his siblings: Dorothy, Betty, Bob and Louise; and by his wife Marion.

A memorial service will be held as follows:

January 6, 2024

10:00 AM Receiving with the family
11:00 AM Memorial Service
12:00 PM Interment Ceremony in church courtyard
12:30 PM Lunch in school gym

Grace Lutheran Church
7300 Division St.
River Forest, IL 60305

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to:
Grace Lutheran Church and School
7300 Division St.
River Forest, IL 60305
https://graceriverforest.org/

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