SMITH CENTER – Bill J. Brown, 93, passed away June 4, 2018 at the Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center, Kansas.

Bill, the son of Fred and Beatrice (Grewell) Brown was born on March 10, 1925 on the farm in Pawnee Township, Smith Center, Kansas. He attended Fairview Grade School and Lebanon High School where he excelled in school, FFA, Football, and Basketball; starting as a Junior and Senior. He always looked forward to watching KU and KSU Football and Basketball,as well as, Redmen football. From the time Bill was a little boy, he knew that he wanted to be a farmer, so after graduation, he started his farming career.

Bill married Ardis Shipman on August 8, 1951 and shared nearly 67 years of marriage and memories together. They purchased the farm next door to where he grew up in Pawnee Township; where they lived until moving to Smith Center in 1992. This union was blessed with two children, Jerry Dell Brown and Janet Kae Brown. Bill took great pride in his farm receiving the Kansas Bankers Association’s Soil Conservation Award in 1999. He took an even greater pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Bill was a model for what it means to be a friend, to serve others, and to love deeply. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and put others first. He enjoyed attending the activities of his children, church activities and his friendships, but being with family gave him the greatest joy.

He is survived by his wife, Ardis (Shipman) Brown of Smith Center, KS; a son, Jerry Brown of Smith Center, KS; a daughter, Janet Brown of Salina, KS; four grandchildren: Brandon Simmelink and wife Lisa of McPherson, KS; Chris Brown of Russell, KS; Matt Brown and fiance Alicia of Smith Center, KS; Jessica Tolson and husband Brad Reed of Salina, KS; and four great-grandchildren: Hannah, Baylee, Bryant, and Emma.

He was preceded in death by one great-grandchild KaeLynn Tolson.

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