Obituary of William 'Bill' Brown
William “Bill” George Brown passed away peacefully on Monday June 4, 2018.
Bill was born on August 1, 1938, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, the youngest child of Paul C. and Mary E. Brown. He was raised on a farm near North Liberty and adored by his five older siblings: Frances, Florence, Betty, Dick and Jane. He graduated from Iowa City High School in 1956 where he met his life-long sweetheart, Lyda O’Rear. They were married on November 2, 1957 in Shueyville, Iowa. Throughout their 58-year marriage, Bill and Lyda created a legacy of love and shared an allegiance of adoration for their ever growing family, Iowa Hawkeye wrestling and football, traveling the world and being caring friends to many.
Bill was an accomplished business man, having managed or owned: several auto service stations, Budget Car Wash, Bill’s Rentals and a handful of Goodyear franchises, most notably Iowa City Tire and Service. He was also active in his community and was a past member of the Iowa City Jaycees and the Old Capitol Chorus. He had a long-standing reputation as an honest and trustworthy business owner; he was generous, had a heart of gold and a strong commitment to providing opportunities to others.
Bill will be deeply missed by his family: his daughters, Lori Miller and her husband, John; Diane Hutt and her husband, Mart; and son, Mike Brown and his wife, Carrie; 8 grandchildren: Traci Anderson (Bob Massey), Troy Anderson (Sara), Nick Miller (Jenny), Jess Byram (Jake), Brandon Miller, Heidi Brown, Sarah Brown and Max Brown; 9 great-grandchildren: Bradley Dickinson, Jack Massey, Ruby Massey, Lyda Mae Massey, Lily Byram, Piper Miller, Estelle Anderson, Lincoln Byram and Maddox Miller; 2 step-grandchildren: Erin Hutt and Marcy Hutt; 1 step-great-grandson, Gavin Oxley; his sister, Jane Colony; brothers-in-law, Nelson O’Rear (Teri), Bill O’Rear (Deb) and Bob O’Rear; sister-in-law, Karen Brantley; numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
Bill has been missing his loving wife, Lyda, since her passing on May 30, 2016. His family takes comfort in knowing they are now reunited. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mary Brown; an infant sister, Peggy Lou; siblings and their spouses, Francis and Earl Stimmel, Florence and Otto Louvar, Betty and Guy Louvar, Dick and Marilyn Brown; brother-in-law, Carl Colony; and father and mother-in-law, Doyle and Marie O’Rear.
Bills’ family would like to send their heartfelt gratitude to: Pathway’s Adult Day Center, Legacy Gardens, Windmill Manor and Compassus Hospice for their loving care and support
Funeral services will be held at 10am Friday, June 8, 2018, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Old Capitol Chorus, or Compassus Hospice (5355 Eastern Ave., Davenport, IA 52807) in his name. To share a thought, memory or condolence with Bill’s family please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.
