Bill Brown

Benjamin Funeral Service - Nowata, Oklahoma.................... Billy (Bill) George Brown of Nowata passed away surrounded by family on May 3, 2015, at Jane Phillips Nowata Health Center at the age of 78. Bill was born on February 13, 1937, in Oklahoma City, OK to Weldon and Mary (Smith) Brown. He graduated from Shawnee High School in 1955. Bill attended Oklahoma State University earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1959. Bill married the love of his life, Sandra (Sandy) Hairston on May 24, 1959. The couple moved to Dallas while Bill worked for Texas Instruments from 1959-1961. Due to the failing health of Bill's parents, Bill and Sandy returned to Nowata to run the Rex Theater and Sky View Drive-In Theater. Bill's hamburgers at the drive-in are still talked about to this day. In 1963, Bill started Disan Engineering Corp., a military electronics manufacturing company. Bill's entrepreneurial spirit led him to develop many businesses including Section 8 housing, Oil and Gas E&P, Radio Stations, and, in pursuit of his lifelong hobby, a local gun range. In addition to Bill's professional accomplishments, he served on the Nowata Public School Board of Education, served as the President of the Nowata Chamber of Commerce, served as Mayor of City of Nowata, was a founding member of Nowata Educational Endowment Foundation, a member of the Jane Phillips Nowata Health Center Board of Directors, Oklahoma State University Advisory Board for the Electrical Engineering Technology department, and First United Methodist Church Board of Trustees. Bill's passion has always been in serving others. This passion drove him to help found Dinners with Love, a local service that prepares and delivers meals to more than 1/3 of the Nowata population. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Weldon and Mary Brown, and sister, Marilu Snodgrass of Mesa, AZ. Bill is survived by his wife, Sandy, of the home, two daughters, Diane and Chuck Price of Nowata, and Susan and Bob Walton of Nowata; five grandchildren, Carissa and Tyler Pierce of Oologah, Alisha and Ian Chambers of Nowata, Natalie Price of Nowata, and Ryan and Sydney Walton of Nowata; five great grandchildren, Warren and Lydia Pierce of Oologah, Caiden, Xavier, and Baby Elise (expected in July) Chambers of Nowata; two special friends and physicians, Dr. Vicki Baker and Dr. Rodney Clingan of Tulsa; his guardian angel, Lori Krizan of Phoenix, AZ, who saved his life with CPR after he suffered a sudden death episode 22 years ago; nephews Bill Heob, John David Snodgrass, Steven Snodgrass, Mike Hairston, and their families; nieces Mary Alice King, Dee Glowacki, Janice Preese, and their families; as well as many beloved friends and a devoted work family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Dinners with Love at the First United Methodist Church of Nowata. Services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, May 8th, at First United Methodist Church of Nowata. Interment will follow at Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Visitation Details

Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 5:00pm - 9:00am, Benjamin Funeral Home

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015 8:00am - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Thursday, May 7th, 2015 8:00am - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Friday, May 8th, 2015 10:00am, First United Methodist Church Nowata

Interment Details

Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery