William Robert Brown

STERLING – William Robert Brown, 91, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 under the loving care of his family and the compassionate staff at Oakdale Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in West Boylston. Born and raised in Worcester, Bill was the son of Edward J. and Kathryn T. (Black) Brown, and lived the last 31 years in Sterling.

Bill graduated from South High School in Worcester and attended Worcester Junior College and Emerson College in Boston. He retired as the Senior Vice President and Director of Sales for the North American Pulp and Paper Division of Dubois Chemicals in 1997. He served his country in the United States Coast Guard and was honorably discharged in 1946.

While living in Leicester, Bill served as a corporator of Leicester Savings Bank and on the Finance Advisory Board of the town. His favorite past time was playing golf and was a long time member of Oak Hill Country Club. He was also a member of St. Richard of Chichester Church, the Greendale Retired Men's Club, the Hiram O. Taylor American Legion Post 189 and a member of the Worcester Men of Song for over 50 years.

He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife of 70 years, Jane M. (Malmberg) Brown; his son, David “Matt” Matthew Brown and his wife, Judith M. Tonelli-Brown of Rutland; five daughters, Pamela Lyons of Montague, Deborah S. Repekta of Cherry Valley, Andrea M. Ebinger of Ipswich, Cynthia A. Holland of Sterling and Carey A. Strombotne and her husband, Dion of Laguna Beach, CA; 10 grandchildren, Sean Lyons, Nicholas and Adam Repekta, William Holland, Trevor and Tobin Brown, Henry and Cyrus Ebinger, and Rex and Derek Strombotne; 5 great-grandchildren, Cam, Erin, Robyn, Janie and Benjamin. Besides his parents, Bill is predeceased by a sister, Jane M. Fram.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 27, at St. Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge St. Sterling. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Worcester Men of Song; NEADS, P.O. Box 1100, Princeton MA 01541; Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Attention Liz Hamilton, 65 Tainter St., Worcester MA 01610; or to a charity of one's choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling.