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William Gannaway Brownlow V
William Gannaway Brownlow V
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William Brownlow Obituary
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Bryant Welch
September 13, 2007
I have very fond and amusing memories of Will from my years at Georgetown. We were lab partners in chemistry, and our punch card for broken items like beakers and graduated cylinders looked like swiss cheese by the end of the year. Together we were a bit reckless in the lab, but it produced some of the hardest laughs I ever had at school. He actually worked with my father at USA Today to get some sports photos published in the paper, and it was he who had brought the unfortunate news of Will's passing to my attention. My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family.
John Thompson
February 26, 2007
I knew Brownlow from productions in McCallie's theatre program and on backpacking trips. I will always remember his kindness, wit and enthusiasm. My wishes to his family particularly his wife.
Luis Roig
February 24, 2007
William and I lived in the same floor of the South Hutch dorm during our first year at The McCallie School. He was one of the first fellow classmates I met at McCallie. I remeber some of the boys and I used to pull some pranks on him, but he was a good sport. I was so sad to hear of his passing. I was fortunate enough to meet him again only a few years ago here in Washington, DC during a McCallie alumni reunion where I also met his wife Sarah Jane. William, you will be missed. May you rest in peace.
Matt Payne
January 10, 2007
Will was one of the better people I met at Georgetown. He always was willing to share a smile and a good laugh. He is one of the people who made my college experience the best one I could have asked for. I'll miss you Will.
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Sean Leather
December 24, 2006
I was saddened to hear of William's sudden passing at a reunion with a few McCallie graduates in Chattanooga. Several of us rowed with him whom we simply called Brownlow. His sense of humor and enthusiasm regularly lightened our load. I'll always remember the smile he consistently brought to my face.
Heather Burrs
December 22, 2006
William helped me through my first semester at Georgetown. Years later, when we worked together at Accenture, I often teased him about being the primary reason for my success. His genuine kindness and sense of humor are unmatched, and he will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, friends and family.
Bobby Delonis and Jocelyne Vigier
December 21, 2006
We are very blessed to have had William as a close friend for many years. He was caring and kind, always quick with a story or a laugh, and he lived with a joy that we can all learn from. Thanks William - you really did help make us better people, and we will miss you terribly.
Our love and prayers are with Sarah Jane, his family, and everyone else who shared in the smiles that he brought to those he knew.
Jim and Marybeth Di Liberto
December 19, 2006
William was a dear friend of our son, Jim. And because of that relationship, William has always been thought of as one of "our boys". Our prayers are with Sarah Jane and the Brownlow family.
Chi-Yen Yang
December 19, 2006
Will was always a great person to talk to. He gave me a window into the things that I would probably never had the chance to do. I especially liked to talk to him about his hunting trips, and the riffles, bows and muskets he had. I remember the story where he shut down I-95 both North and South bounds because he had cases of shotgun shells exploding in his burning jeep. When he told the story, he looked proud. After all, who else has shut down a major highway the way he did? When I heard the story, I couldn’t help but feel proud also.
I guess this is what Will is about to me. He makes me feel honored to have known him.
Matt Portolese
December 18, 2006
I'm not sure that I can say anything more than the kind words all of Will's closest friends and family have committed to this book. He was a wonderful person and a good friend. My thoughts and prayers are with Sarah Jane and the Brownlows.
Nathan Kleinman
December 17, 2006
There really are no words to express either the joy in knowing William or the sadness in losing him. I am sure he will never be forgotten by those who loved him, and his memory will always put many a smile on all of our faces.
Karen Clawson
December 16, 2006
William will always be the quintessential southern gentleman to me - he is the only person I have ever known who wore seersucker.
As this guest book shows, he had friends all around the world. We will all miss him. My heartfelt condolences go to his wife and family.
Patsy Kazakoff
December 16, 2006
My son Miro was part of the R Street gang. Whenever he spoke of Brownlow, it was always with a quality of awe and admiration. Brownlow was an exciting person - he brought inspiration to the mundane; my son was always telling Brownlow stories, peppered with good humor and generosity of spirit. My special thoughts are with the family. I am very sorry.
Kathy and Geoffrey Gougion
December 16, 2006
To know William was to love him...he was a wonderfully unique and passionate person, and a true friend. Our hearts are heavy with his loss, but will forever be filled with his bright light and charisma. Our sincerest condolences to Sarah Jane and the entire Brownlow family.
John Sebastian
December 15, 2006
My thoughts and prayers will be with Will's family and all those who mourn his loss during these difficult times. May he rest in peace.
Sandy England
December 15, 2006
I have long-appreciated Will for his wizadry on the FSA integrated technical architecture team, his dedication to Federal Student Aid, and helping make education more accessible and affordable for millions of students.
I adored Will and his enthusiasm for experiencing life as fully as possible, his quirky humor, and bright, bushy eyed facial expressions when he got excited about something. I will miss Will very much, and my honest-felt condolences to Sarah Jane and their family.
Andrew Amend
December 15, 2006
I will always be thankful for William's enthusiasm, and the happiness and laughter he brought me and all his friends at Georgetown. My deepest sympathies go out to all whom I join in mouring his loss.
Michael Canter
December 15, 2006
Many of my great memories from Georgetown involve Brownlow. He was one of the most kind, funny, and engaging people I met there.
I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Laura and Ryan Fowler
December 15, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mary Conway Vaughan
December 15, 2006
Our deepest sympathies to Sarah Jane and the Brownlow family. We knew William through various Georgetown organizations, and we'll miss him greatly.
Alex Johnson Lavidge
December 15, 2006
William and I had been childhood friends since preschool and I have a myriad of fond memories. He was always reading, asking questions, and helping someone. Over the years he really turned into the quintessential southern gentleman. I last saw him at the wedding in D.C. and since then we were always talking of going to a tech conference at some point for a guys’ weekend trip to catch up some more. I am so sorry for the family and my heart pours out to them.
Patty Blumenthal
December 15, 2006
To William's family and Sarah Jane, my heartfelt sadness and abiding sympathies. To talk of William made Sarah absolutely radiant. To meet William was an honor in light of the high regard within which he was held, much less that he was such a nice, witty, genuinely compassionate person who brought happiness to so many.
Joe Boyles
December 15, 2006
"Brownlow" was one of a select group of men that I consider close friends from my time at McCallie. I suspect that he holds that lofty position in the hearts of innumerable people from the surprisingly diverse chapters of his life. I sorely regret that in the years that have followed I spoke of him so much more often than I spoke to him. Brownlow's friends mourn the loss of a Gentleman and a Brother.
Victoria Eads
December 15, 2006
My sincerest condolences to the Brownlow family. Will was a good friend in college, and always great to have around at Mask & Bauble. We had many a good time together. He left everyone he met feeling a little bit better than they had before. Will, you are missed!
Jim Hemelt
December 15, 2006
I echo the sentiments of the Georgetown community and add my heartfelt sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ed Rapp
December 15, 2006
My condolences to the Brownlow family. I was Will’s career counselor while at Accenture. I looked forward to all my meetings with Will. He had a positive outlook on life and he is the type of person that you always wanted on your team.
Will also had great stories to tell – I remember the unfortunate incident of his old car that turned into a car-b-que (vehicle fire) on I-95 which stopped traffic in both directions. He turned that story around into great entertainment for all. I will miss Will.
Gigi Stoler
December 15, 2006
Will made me feel welcome from the moment I stepped onto Georgetown's campus. I will always remember him as a kind friend, and a wonderful presence. Any setting was made brighter by having him around. My deepest sympathies to Sarah Jane and the rest of the family. He is a man that will be sorely missed.
Whitney Haslam
December 15, 2006
My continued thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Harry Feely
December 15, 2006
We appreciated his excellent and intelligent work, which benefitted millions of students seeking aid for education.
Andrew D. Wimpenny
December 15, 2006
From the moment I met him, William managed to remember everything through his camera. His website is and has always been a quilt of memories for his friends. He will be sorely missed but always revered.
Michelle Nelson
December 14, 2006
William was always ready with a big grin and a kind word for everyone. I will always remember his larger than life presence at Mask & Bauble. My thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathy goes out to Sarah Jane and the rest of his family. He will truly be missed.
Christina Logothetis
December 14, 2006
Will was such a vibrant and unique person. He was always a good man to have around, no matter how dreary a day in the theater shop or how mundane the task of stuffing envelopes, he found a way to keep us all in good spirits. Mask and Bauble would not have been the same without him.
Patrick Byrnett
December 14, 2006
William was the best kind of friend - good for a laugh in good times, great for a laugh, and whatever else you needed, in the rough times. I felt honored to know him at Georgetown, and always referred to him as a "a great American." He will be deeply missed. My deepest condolences to Sarah Jane and all of the Brownlow family.
Rick, Bev, and Rick Kuhlman
December 14, 2006
We will always remember William for his great smile and his can do personality. It was a true pleasure to work with him at Troop 6 and of course going to Philmont with William in 1994 was a huge high point! What a great guy! Our prayers are with you, Candy, Will and your family. Just know that your son brought much joy to those who spent time with him.
Gregg Deehan, Jr.
December 14, 2006
My friends and I still remember our first M & B opening night party with William...his personality was only overshadowed by his warmth. My prayers are with all who had the honor to know him.
Damon and Mary Ann Darsey
December 14, 2006
William, known simply as "Brownlow" to us at McCallie was a great man and a wonderful friend. We were fellow boarders and RA's our senior year. To the family: he left his mark on McCallie and in our hearts. His life and his work will remain in our family of friends and we will always remember the fun we had with "Brownlow." And to William: If McCallie had bright Broadway lights, they would be dark in your honor. Gods Speed my friend.
Willie Huo
December 14, 2006
I will miss William very much. My prayers go to his wife and family. My sincerest condolences to your loss.
Rob O'Keefe
December 14, 2006
William always made a big impact on me when I would see him at work. No matter what may have been troubling him personally, he always projected a positive outlook and a big grin. He brought joy and happiness to those around him. He worked incredibly hard at anything he took on. For every one person that signs this guest book, I am sure there are hundreds of others touched by Will's humor and grace. I can picture him at ease both in groups of people laughing it up and also sitting by himself, engrossed in a book, at peace with himself. I believe he will live on for a long time in all of our memories.
My thoughts and condolences are with Will's family. God Bless.
Tracy Hartman Swift
December 14, 2006
William was all kindness and generosity. He made everyone at Georgetown smile, and was such a good friend to so many people.
My deepest sympathies to Sarah Jane and the rest of his family.
Melissa Anelli
December 14, 2006
When William was around, we never wanted for a laugh. He breezed in and out of the newsroom giving them to us generously, on nights when sometimes laughs were what stood between good hard work and good hard cries. Thanks, William. I'm sorry we never got to know each other better; you will be missed.
Megan Daly Farmer
December 14, 2006
William is a bright spot in all of my memories of Mask & Bauble at Georgetown. I will miss running into him around DC. He was so full of fun and life. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Laura Meissner
December 14, 2006
I feel privileged to have met Will through theater at Georgetown--he could always make you laugh, could tell a story like no one else, and he was as loyal and fair as they come. He will be badly missed.
I will keep you, and all his friends and family, in my prayers.
Gloria Fustino
December 14, 2006
Sarah Jane, I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved husband. The thing I will remember is the two of you enjoying yourselves at the firm's Christmas party and that he asked me to join you all when you were going somewhere else afterward. You are in my heart Sarah, and I am praying for you and really miss you. Your new good friend, Gloria (White & Case)
Maggie Jarmolowski
December 14, 2006
I am saddend to hear of the loss of Will. His joyful spirit was a gift to us at Georgetown. My thoughts and prayers are will your family.
Stephanie Gatton
December 14, 2006
I have many memories of time spent with William both in theatre and at The Hoya at Georgetown. He was lively, fun, and always made me smile. And he was a welcome face when I returned to DC last winter for 3 months. I appreciated his friendship and effervescence.
It is never easy to lose a loved one, especially prematurely. If anyone would like to talk, please know that I am here.
Jason Yarn and Heather Horgan
December 14, 2006
William was an awesome friend, with a heart as big as all outdoors. I miss him.
Our thoughts are with you.
Kerri Carpenter
December 14, 2006
William will truly be missed. I spent many fun times with him at Georgetown and in Mask & Bauble. I have so many happy memories of him to keep in my heart.
My thoughts and prayers to William's family and friends.
Andrea Headley
December 14, 2006
Sarah Jane and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. William was loved by so many, and we will always remember the good times together. It was a blessing to be his friend.
Andrew Wandler
December 14, 2006
I am saddened by the world's premature loss of my work colleague William, a fine young man always willing to share his wisdom and insight. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Brian and Beth Soja
December 14, 2006
Georgetown would not have been the same without William - his warmth, his generous spirit, and his unconditional friendship.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Rob & Linda Menasco
December 14, 2006
Dear Gloria,
Our deepest sympathies; we are leaving for Shreveport Friday or we would be at St. John's. St. John’s staff are wonderful people. We will be praying for you and Candy and her family and for Will. God bless.
Susan & Jack Shay
December 14, 2006
We are so thankful for the friendship we both shared with William over the past nine years. He was a good man, a loyal friend and we will miss growing old with him. May he rest in peace.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you, Sarah Jane, and all of the Brownlows. God be with you.
Yvette Bryant
December 14, 2006
To Williams Family,he will be truly missed for his talents and dedications to FSA. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Yvette Bryant
Chuck Chang
December 14, 2006
I can still see William vividly working besides me in the office. He was a lovely person as to share all the adventure he's been through: hunting in Africa, surviving in paintball games and managing his innovative website. He was a family guy as to refuse taking any Chinese food because his wife might get allergic. He was also a generous individual as to help me learn English and American culture. He walked me through The Wizard of Oz and idioms associated with it. I certainly appreciate his help and will definitely miss him.
Todd and Alison Davis
December 14, 2006
Anyone that knew William is a better person for it. He was truly a gentleman in all ways. We all wish that we had more time with such an amazing person.
We are parying for Sarah Jane and the Brownlow family.
Jeff Ross
December 14, 2006
I loved working with him at the Dept of Education in Washington. He was always a delight to work with, and very good at what he did. My sympathies to his wife and family.
John and Gale Montgomery
December 14, 2006
We are so sorry for the loss of a wonderful man.
Ted Nichols
December 14, 2006
William, was a true friend. At Sea-Base we bunked together in the forward cabin of the sailboat we were on. William taught me how to fish for salt water fish on that trip. He was calm and cool, when our boat was caught in terrible winds, flooding our engines and leaving us adrift for many hours. We spent many other trips hiking and camping together, and later rowing on the Tennessee river during our summers. Though it has been years since I have seen him, I always knew that I had a true friend in William. William will be greatly missed and the world is a sadder place without him.
Mildred Amer
December 14, 2006
Candy and Will,
My thoughts are with you all.
Ed Robinette
December 14, 2006
Candy and Will I am so sorry hear about the loss of William. I cannot imagine the grief of lossing a child. I will always remember the kids when they were very young playing outside on Dellwood.
Ed Robinette
Olivia and David Rigney
December 14, 2006
We have a vivid memory of William as a splendid and festive presence at the wedding of our daughter Alexandra and Jim Di Liberto two summers ago. From sullen earth sing hymns at heaven's gate.
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