William R. "Bill" Brown (88) of Effingham

William R. “Bill” Brown, 88, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at Effingham Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Effingham.

Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 24 at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Fourth Street, Effingham, with Dr. Roger Marshall officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 25 at Anna City Cemetery in Anna, IL, with military rites. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Effingham.

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William was born on January 27, 1928 in Cairo, IL, the son of Clarence and Genevieve (Lingenfelter) Brown. He married Betty R. Wall on December 30, 1950, and she survives. Bill was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Effingham, Effingham Masonic Lodge 149, Effingham American Legion Post 120, and the University of Illinois Alumni Association. He was a school teacher for two years and later became President of the Federal Land Bank Association in Effingham for 27 years. Bill loved his work. He also enjoyed working in the yard, especially gardening. He loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his wife, Betty R. Brown of Effingham; son, William R. “Bill” (Melanie) Brown II of Altamont; grandchildren, Jennifer Brown of Beecher City and Paige Brown of Altamont; 2 nieces; and 1 nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Leondas Brown; and one sister, Joyce Churchill.