William Brown Sr.

BROWN, WILLIAM SR., 86, - of Ocean City, was born on December 13, 1921 in Ocean City, to the late Anna L. and Lemuel W. Brown. He was one of fifteen siblings. His Lord, Jesus Christ, called him home on Saturday evening, August 30, 2008 in the company of his sisters and daughter. William, also called "Brownie", "Bill", "Pop", "Daddy Bill", and "Gump", received his education from the public school system in Ocean City and vocational training in Cape May County. He was fond of large trucks and after leaving school he soon found himself driving for local contractors, eventually settling with Lombardi And Ferguson. William met Charlotte G. Elias in Philadelphia, PA. and eventually they were married in 1948. They worked as domestic workers for several years in Philadelphia. William returned to Ocean City with his wife in 1953 where he began his own business. He was founder and owner of William Brown Hauling - a company well known in the area, having hauled everything from dirt to houses and eventually venturing into real estate. He was proud of his work and his work spoke of his pride. William was an active member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Ocean City and was ordained a deacon in 1973 under the leadership of Reverend James Birt. He later moved his membership to Heaven's Way Baptist Church under Reverend John Mack in Egg Harbor Township. He returned to Shiloh when his health began to fail, but was not able to attend regularly because of failing health. William was predeceased by his mother and father; his wife Charlotte; his son William Jr.; his grandson Robert; four brothers Theodore, Charles, Joseph, Lemuel; two sisters, Naomi and Dorothy; granddaughter, Charlotte. William leaves to cherish fond memories; daughter, Frances E. (Alfred) Jackson of Philadelphia, PA; stepson, Arnold (Margaret) Elias of Woodbine; sisters Mary Spence of Ocean City, Shirley (Kenneth) Carson of Galloway, and Barbara (Herman) Ross of Pleasantville; Grandchildren Alfred Jr., Theresa, Ronald Jackson Sr., Paul, Charlene, Thearis, Ronald Elias, Patricia, and Jacqui; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; seven great-great grand children; daughter-in-law Doretha Brown of Philadelphia, PA; sisters-in-law Ida Conaway of Lawnside, Marianne Elias of Philadelphia, PA, and Marguerite Elias-Rice of Philadelphia, PA; brothers-in-law Wallace Elias of Charlotte, MI and Paul Elias of Philadelphia, PA; Godson Craig (Angela) Brown; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members and innumerable friends and business acquaintances. Friends may call Friday evening from seven until nine o'clock at The Godfrey Funeral Home, 809 Central Avenue, Ocean City. His Funeral Service will be offered Saturday morning at 11 o'clock from Shiloh Baptist Church, 7th Street at Simpson Avenue, Ocean City, where friends may call from ten o'clock until the time of service. Burial will follow in Seaside Cemetery, Palermo. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations are to be sent in William Brown's name to The American Cancer Society, 626 North Shore Road, Absecon, NJ 08201. To email condolences, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com