William E. "Bill" Brown Jr.

Mr. William E. "Bill" Brown Jr, age 87 of Murphysboro, died at 7:59 a.m. Friday, November 13, 2015 in the Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. He was born July 22, 1928 in Alto Pass, the son of William E. Sr. and Dollie (Tate) Brown. He married Frances Jane Lipe on November 10, 1950 in Jonesboro. She preceded him in death on August 23, 2010. Bill is survived by his son, Mike (Karen) Brown of Cobden; three grandchildren, Kara Flatt of Cobden, Amy (Josh) Williams of Travis Air Force Base in California, and Wesley Brown of Virginia Beach, VA; five great-grandchildren, Hannah Flatt, Josiah Williams, Esther Williams, Damien Brown, and Annelise Brown; one sister, Ruth Purvis of California, MO; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Frances Jane Brown; and one sister, Barbara Brown. Bill was ordained as a minister in the Church of God, in Cleveland, TN in 1951 and later became a Bishop of the Church. He was a member of the Church of God in Carbondale for many years. He loved to play the guitar and sing. He was a pastor for various churches in Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri and had a long time radio program on WINI, The Old Country Church. Bill worked many years as a custodian for the Murphysboro School District. Bill proudly served his country in the United States Navy and the Coast Guard. Funeral services for Mr. William E. "Bill" Brown Jr. will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2015 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Cobden with Bishop Roger Moore officiating. Interment will be in the Dutch Ridge Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the V.F.W. in Anna. Friends may call from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, November 16, 2015 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Cobden. Visitation Service Monday, November 16, 2015,5:00PM-8:00PM Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home 214 North Front Street Cobden, Illinois 62920 Memorial/Funeral Service Tuesday, November 17, 2015,10:00AM Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home 214 North Front Street Cobden, Illinois 62920 Cemetery Service Tuesday, November 17, 2015,11:00AM Dutch Ridge Cemetery North Rt. 127 Murphysboro, Illinois 62966