George William "Bill" Brown

GEORGE WILLIAM (BILL) BROWN January 15, 1945 – March 21, 2011.  Bill, 66, was tenderly let go into the loving arms of Jesus on March 21, 2011 as he was surrounded in love by his family at his home in Grandview. Funeral: 10:00 A.M. Friday at First United Methodist Church of Grandview. Visitation: 6-8 P.M. Thursday at Mayfield Kiser Funeral Home in Burleson. Burial: Grandview Cemetery. George William “Bill” Brown was born in Fort Worth, Texas.  During his lifetime he lived in Haltom City, Maryland, California, Dallas, and moved to Hurst in 1956. Bill is survived by his wife of 43 years, Karen Gooch Brown, two daughters and their spouses, Shanna Mattson and Blake of Waco and Shellie Ahrens and John of Fort Worth; his grandchildren Carlyn and Courtland Mattson, who were a significant part of his life; brothers Ben James Brown and Betty Willis of Weatherford, Tommy Michael Brown and Nancy of Hurst; sister Jeannette Brown Connor and Michael of Hico; nieces Heather Brown Bush, Melinda Brown, Nicole Connor, and Megan Connor, whom he very much adored. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben Austin Brown and Jeanette Townsend “Polly” Brown. “Who’s Who” in Basketball and voted “Friendliest” in his senior class, Bill graduated from L.D. Bell High School in 1962.  He played basketball at Del Mar Junior College and graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in 1970. Bill’s first job out of school was with J.C. Penney.  From there he went on to work at Bell Helicopter International, Peterbilt, and ultimately opened “Salads & Such” restaurant in Hurst.  It was sold in 2001 to allow Bill and Karen to retire to the country. Bill’s passionate hobby for over 40 years was ranching and raising Santa Gertrudis cattle, a love passed down to him from his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.  He served as President of the Premiere Santa Gertrudis Association and served on the Board of Directors in different capacities during his more than 20 years of involvement with the Association.  He loved showing cattle with his daughters and nieces and he enabled a number of kids to raise and show their own cattle. Pallbearers are Richard Crabtree of Hurst, Dick Fletcher of Homestead, Florida, David McDonald of Grandview, Jerry Stults of Lillian, John Underwood of Southlake, Jim Wisniewski of Southlake, and Granville Zimmerman of Bedford. Memorials may be made to First Methodist Church of Grandview or the National Santa Gertrudis Youth Foundation Scholarship Fund c/o Bill Brown Memorial Scholarship. Karen and her family wish to express their deep appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and other caregivers, as well as the many friends and family who have helped Bill during his hard-fought battle with cancer.