William “Bill” Alfred Brown III, age 79, died at his Helena home of a heart attack on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Bill’s wife of almost 50 years, Jan, and their Australian shepherd Maggie were at his side as his battle with cancer and other health problems came to a peaceful end.
Bill was born in Great Falls on September 8, 1937, to William Alfred Brown, Jr. and Margaret Reynolds Brown. He was the eldest of their three children. The family moved to Helena, and Bill graduated from Helena High School in 1955. He attended Montana State College in Bozeman for several years before returning to Helena and working at his father’s business, Jorud Photo Shop.
On October 28, 1966, Bill married Janet Dahl in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He continued as an employee at Jorud’s until April Fool’s Day in 1971, when he took over the business he and Jan would run together for the next 31 years. It was the end of a Helena era when Jorud’s finally closed its doors for good on March 31, 2002.
While raising four children, running a business, remodeling houses, maintaining the family cabin near Rimini, and restoring antique cars, Bill made time to contribute to the community in a myriad of ways. He served on the City Parking and Traffic Advisory Board/Helena Parking Commission; Model City Board of Directors; and Holter Museum of Art board of directors. He was President of the Model City Joint Neighborhood Council and a member of the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Merchants Association, and Capital Carriages Antique Car Club. He was an integral part of Helena Unlimited and helped build the current “Last Chancer” tour train. Bill and Jan volunteered as election judges for a number of years. His dedication to Helena was honored through Bill’s receipt of the Carroll College Community Service Award.
To family and friends, Bill was the “go to” man. He could build or fix anything, thoughtfully answer any question posed, and bring a sense of calm and logic to the most chaotic situation. He restored the historic street clock on Last Chance Gulch; took pottery classes at the Archie Bray Foundation where he excelled in handbuilding unique and whimsical creations; quietly guided his loved ones through tough decisions; handcrafted furniture for his home and to give as gifts; …and so much more.
Bill’s greatest delight came from his friends and family. In recent years, his weekly Friday morning coffee hour with Jan and close friends became a treasured ritual. He loved family get-togethers, sharing meals and stories, teasing one another, and watching the children and dogs play.
He is survived by his wife Jan, aunt Virginia Pruett and sister Susan Brown Gray of Helena; brother Douglas Brown (Lily) of Poulsbo, WA; children Bev Roope (Ken) of Helena, Ken Brown of Dubai, Erik Brown (Shannon) of Helena, and Kim Brown (Jon Meredith) of Pender Island, BC; granddaughters Lisa, Kaija, Zoë, and Tylyn; great-grandchildren Austin, Tatum, Gavin, and Leo; and four-legged Maggie.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, uncle Bud Pruett, niece Nicole Gray and nephew Todd Brown.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Friday, September 30th at 11:00 AM at the ASW Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena, MT. A reception will be held after the service at the funeral home followed by the interment of ashes at Forestvale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts in Bill’s name to the Archie Bray Foundation, 2915 Country Club Ave, Helena, MT 59602; or the Holter Museum of Art, 12 East Lawrence, Helena, MT 59601. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Bill.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 30, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Friday September 30, 2016
Banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
After the reception
Friday September 30, 2016
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 30, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Friday September 30, 2016
Banquet Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
After the reception
Friday September 30, 2016
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
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Michelle Van Nice says
Bev, Jan and family,
Bev – so very sorry for your loss of your Dad. Jan – so sorry for your loss of your husband. He was a good man – hold your memories close. Keeping you all in my prayers and thoughts. Love Michelle
John & Cherie Dahl says
Jan and rest of the family, Bill was really special to us. Many memories and all great. We will sure miss him but know we will see him again one of these years. Love you all. Brother John & Cherie
Judith and Lewis Foutz says
When it came to brothers-in-law Bill was the best we could have ever hoped for. We will miss your smiling face, wonderful humor and everything about you. You fought your illness with courage and grace. Rest in peace and know we will always be thinking of you and remembering what a great person you were. Judi and Lewis
Vivian Hayes says
Dear Jan and family, Thinking of you and remembering Bill and our good times at the Bray, with love, Vivian
Laurie gigette McGrath says
So heartbroken to see this. Bill was one of our Helena icons that will never be replaced. So many fun memories of him and Jan at Jourd’s. He was a wonderful, kind, funny guy, who really helped a lot of people. I will miss your friendly greeting hugs Bill! Jan, my thoughts are with you and your family, he will be missed.
Renee Pipinich says
Bev & Ken so sorry to hear about your dad. I have fond memories of him. I remember him at the store he was a very kind man and he could fix anything .
Patricia Peach says
Jan, Erik, Shannon, Zoe, and family-
I was so sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. I know he has not been well for some time. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Julie Merkel says
Jan — I’m sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Sending you my thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Gerry Phillips says
Jan, Kim and family ~ we are thinking of you all and sending our prayers across the miles.
Herb & Deb Katz says
Kim: Deb and I send you, your mother, and your family our love and thoughts. I think that your father’s life and good works offers a powerful example to follow.
ellen condon says
Jan, Kim and Maggie- I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of all of you.
Marsha says
Ken and family, Sad to hear of Bill’s passing. Thinking of you all.
Linda Vaughey says
Jan and family ~ Prayers for you all. So difficult to say good-bye to your life partner and best friend, Jan. Arms around.
Mark Willis says
Ken sorry to hear of your loss,your dad was a great man,I have your family in my prayers
john ilgenfritz and Sheena Wilson says
Jan and family, The obit was excellent. Although we have been neighbors for years and our lives intersected in so many ways politics, government, water aerobics, shopping at Joruds, I learned so much about Bill’s varied interests and contributions to our community that I was unaware of or had forgotten. I remember often walking down the alley and viewing Bill working on one of his antique cars. I will miss his sense of humor which always lifted my alley walk. Condolences we will be thinking of you. If there is anything we can do, please let us know.
John Moore and Ann Waickman says
Jan – We were sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. We will miss his friendly smile and ready wave of the hand. We wish you and your family peace and joy.
Darrell Keim says
Jan-You and Bill were two of the best people I’ve worked for. Bill was a treasure. Best wishes.
Dawn Harrell(poirier) says
Bev, I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. You are in my prayers