William Gibson Brown

In Loving Memory of William “Billy” Gibson Brown a Mighty Man of Valor William (Billy to family and friends) Gibson Brown graduated early from this life on earth. He was born May 21, 1971, but died January 5, 2014, at only 42. Billy was a loving son to his mother, the “best brother one could have” to his younger brother, a blessed and beloved husband to his wife of 15 years, and a exceptional father to his eight children, whom he loved to take fishing and camping. He will be exceedingly missed because he was greatly loved by all. Sara called him her “Mighty Man of Valor” because he was always shielding and protecting her and the children. Yet many times he sacrificed his own time to help others, leaving his own work undone. Recently, he split a winter’s wood supply for the church’s resident widow. Billy was a man who sought and feared the Lord as a result guiding his family toward true Godliness. He was also held in deep respect by the elders of his family whom he leaves behind: his mother and father, Faye and Mike Brown and his brother Mike; his Father and Mother-in-law, Roger and Cindy Kent. Grandparents who remain, Joe and Lillian Kent, and Louella Alley and Evelyn Oates. But most of all he will be missed by his loving wife Sara and their precious children Lauren, Riess, Jakeh, Morgan, Katie, Eleora, and Liam, as well as their daughter Lilliana Faith (which means beautiful flower, full of mercy and grace and faith) who is due to be born any day now. Billy and Sara have had one of the rarest of all treasures here on earth and that was a very passionate, joyful, and fulfilling marriage. As they showed their love for each other, you witnessed the same love Christ has towards His church. They were the best of friends, soul mates, and you could see they were created for each other. They embodied the scripture that ‘The two shall become one flesh.’ Billy had drive deep from inside his heart and soul to love his wife and his family with every ounce of his being. He brought Glory to God and was a Godly example for all who knew him on how to be the “Mighty Man of Valor” that his sweet Sara saw him as and knew he was. All who knew him best would agree with Sara. Billy embodied the biblical mandate that all men have and that is to be enraptured with the love of his wife, to rejoice in the wife of his youth, to pursue and treasure her heart and the children’s hearts, and he turned his heart fully to his children, and he had their hearts as well. His short but sweet and honorable life was a powerful testament to our Lord and Savior as well as to the furthering of His kingdom. Precious was his death in the sight of the Lord as the fruit of his life is now being manifested in ways Billy never dreamed about. Billy’s life is now having an even greater impact than ever before on his friends and co-workers, as their eyes and hearts are open to what Sara, the children, family, and close friends have already been living, seeing, and knowing for years about this great man Billy. Billy was a man, a husband, and a father that all other men could model themselves after, and if more men did, this world would be a far greater place for all to live in. He is a man after God’s own heart. As Billy entered the gates of heaven he heard these words from the Lord as written in Matthew 25:21, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.' Billy’s Story as Told by those who Love Him From his loving wife Sara: Billy is my great love, my best friend and my spiritual head. Our love started out strong but I can honestly say that it has grown tremendously in the last 7 years. As we grew in the Lord, so did our love for each other and our children. His desire to live out the word and to truly live by Jesus’ example was so great. It drove him to the scriptures with a hunger like I had never seen in him before. His desire was to be “A man after God’s own heart.” Never desiring recognition, he often did things for people in secret. This is one of the many things I love about him. He is a true servant at heart. We have so many sweet moments that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Every time I look at my children I see him. He is my “Mighty Man of Valor.” He is our true Knight in shining armor. He is our protector, provider, and spiritual head. My heart aches, but I look forward to being with him again in eternity. So I charge you: Husbands and wives hug and kiss each other when you wake up each morning and before you go to bed each night. You never know when it will be the last one. “Till we meet again, My Love.” From his loving daughter Lauren: The day I first met Daddy was the day that changed my life forever, although at five years old I didn’t realize it then. When Mom first introduced him, I was so engrossed in a computer game I barely said “Hi.” As time went by, however, I began to see just how special he was. We played together, laughed together, and he even tucked me in at night. When he and Mom announced that they were getting married, I immediately started calling him “Daddy.” He was the best Dad any girl could ask for. His love and guidance led me to embrace the calling of courtship and stay –at –home daughterhood. He taught me the importance of knowing how to defend my beliefs, and he greatly encouraged my academic pursuits. Daddy took his role as a godly husband and father very seriously. It was prevalent in the way he prayed over us children and in the way he led communion and family devotions. My last moment with Daddy is one I will cherish forever. I was up late cramming for a CLEP exam, and I was nervous. So before I went to bed I asked Daddy if he could pray over me. He laid his hand upon my head and prayed that God would calm my nerves and help me retain the information I studied. I went upstairs feeling calm and reassured. Daddy always believed in me even when I doubted myself. I know that I shall always strive to make him proud. From his loving daughter Riess: I am so happy and encouraged because last night Daddy’s spirit visited me. (This was Monday night 1-6-14) I was trying to sleep when someone came and lay next to me. At first, I was startled then I realized it was Daddy. He looked just like he did when he married mommy. He said, “Hi my Riess”, and I said, “Daddy don’t leave me, I need you”. He said, “Oh Riess I will always be here with you, mommy, and your brothers and sisters.” He said, “While I was asleep in the hospital, God took me on a walk and I saw everything ahead of you and I asked God, Can I wake up and see Sara now?” And he said, “No Billy, I have a different plan for you.” So I asked God, “May I look at her one more time?” “So God allowed me to open my eyes one last time and see your momma, and I cried because it would be the last time I would see her on earth.” He continued, “Even though I will never be able to give you and your sisters away, I have seen your husbands and I know they will take care of you girls. Even though you may grow up, you will always be my little girl in this world and the next.” He said, “I want you to be there for your mother when she gives birth to your sister Lilliana Faith.” I said, “Yes Daddy, I will.” He also told me he is tending gardens with his dad. He then told me, “Hey Riess, God told me what I have always longed to hear; “Well done my Good and Faithful servant.” And then he kissed me, Katie, and Eleora goodbye. I love him and will miss him every day. From his loving son Jakeh: Daddy was the best dad I could ever have. We did lots of fun stuff like the monster truck rally, Disneyworld, Dollywood, the Beach, and more!!! Well when he passed away we were very upset. On (1-6-14 around 11:20 P.M.) his spirit came to me while I was in the bed. He came in my room, went over and kissed Liam and then he kissed Morgan. Then he came to me and he sat next to me on my bed. We talked about all the fun stuff that we had done together (mentioned above), we talked for about 8 hours. Well, when we were done he said he had to go and I said “don’t leave now I still need you” he said “I know you all do but you can still talk to me.” He hugged me and kissed me and at 7:55 A.M. and then he walked out. I blinked and nothing had changed, the time was the same and I was still sitting in the same position and I still talk to him and tell him; I love you and I wish he could read this. Love, JAKEH From his loving mother Faye Brown: Billy was only two years old when Faye lost his father in a similar event to the present tragedy. Her anguish was relived during the trauma that followed. While working on the campus of the University of Alabama I met and married Bill Lowe. We married in August 1969. When Bill graduated college we moved to Albany, GA. A year later our son Billy was born (May 21 1971). We were members of a local church. In 1973 we took our usual family vacation to Panama City. It was Mother Day weekend. Bill was not feeling well and it progressively grew worse. We took him to the hospital; and on Father’s Day he went home to be with his LORD. He died of lung cancer. Billy was 2 at the time and I moved back to Tuscaloosa to be close to my family. I returned to school to take some business classes. I later moved to Birmingham and got a job working for Oxmoor Press. Three and one half years later I would meet and marry Mike Brown. After we were married Mike adopted Billy. The adoption was Billy’s choice so he could have the same last name as his family. Billy would meet and marry a lovely young lady named Sara and her beautiful daughter Lauren. Billy and Sara were very structured parents who home schooled their children and taught them the ways of God. Billy never knew a day that he did not believe Jesus Christ as his savior. Now he joins his heavenly father and his birth father in Heaven. From his loving Father in law Roger Kent What do you say about the man that takes your Daughter as his wife? As Sara was starting to date, I had reservations about the guys that came around. I even confronted some to the point they did not come back. Then when Lauren was born, I started thinking about the man that needed to be in the life of Sara and Lauren. I then watched a beautiful process take place. Other men came around and I would watch and see how Lauren would react. If Lauren did not approve of the guy, you could tell. If that was the case, he would not last very long. Then Sara had the opportunity to go to work for an automotive parts company. Her life would change forever. Billy was working in the sales department at Johnson Industries. That is the first time Billy saw Sara. He made a special trip to her department just to introduce him-self. Their eyes locked. Billy went home and told his mother, “I just met the woman I want to marry.” Mom asked him if he was sure and he said yes. After Billy and Sara dated a short while marriage was discussed. We watched as Billy won the heart of not only Sara, but the more important one, Lauren. After Billy and Sara were married they asked Lauren if she wanted to be Billy’s daughter: without pause she said “YES!” Then when we were with the judge at the adoption proceedings, he asked her the same question and she said “YES!” very emphatically. I loved him from the very beginning and see him and my Sara in each of the children. He will be missed greatly not only by his family, but by all the lives he touched. “Rest in God’s grace.” LOVE, Your other Dad. From his mother in law Cindy Kent Billy was my favorite son-in-law, which he used to say I’m your only son-in-law, but that is one of the things we used to kid about. Our relationship was one of constant joking and constantly seeing who cut each other down first. I love how he loved our Sara and how when she walked into a room his eyes would literally light up. He loved his children and always found the best in everything they would do. He was a great proponent of good parenting and family. Billy loved the Lord and searched the scripture trying to find answers for his many questions. He loved his church and all of his church family. Billy and Sara have found great joy in the fellowship at their church. I will miss Billy so much and it was an honor to have known him and to have had him in my life if only for a season. From his loving brother Michael Brown Jr. Billy was a fan of Nascar Racing and the Alabama football team—“Roll Tide” Mike always said of Billy “He was the best brother anyone could ever have.” Mike Jr. has always admired his brother, Sara, and their wonderful children. Billy was the best a brother could be to Mike Jr. Billy and Mike even as adults played around, worked together, and enjoyed life as only brothers can. Billy prayed for Mike Jr all the time, he mentored him, they have always been there for each other: (they will still be there for each other, but now it will be in a way neither imaged) but that is what real brothers do. Billy As He Was Known By His Church To know him was to love him! He had a great sense of humor and was fun to be around. He was a fun loving father whose children adored him. Billy loved the Word of God, and when asked to give the communion message it came forth with evidence of fervent study and showed signs of a budding teaching gift, always giving precious meaning to the Word. He was a faithful attendee of the church’s Wayne Grudem Theology class, asking questions, striving to learn. He served his fellow brothers and sisters, always willing to help with a need. We will miss Billy tremendously, for he has left a big hole in our body. From the Church Billy and Sara Brown came to Restoring Faith Church almost four years ago. They were not looking for a church that they could simply come and listen to what was taught, serve in, and just be members. They were looking for a church family that aligned with the work the Holy Spirit had already done in their hearts. They became an anchor for us all very quickly. Little did they know they would teach us as much or more about God’s word, life, service, marriage, and family than we would teach them. They both immediately engaged in serving and ministering the church. Billy wanted to be strengthened, encouraged, and exhorted in his role of husband, father, priest, and leader of his family as written in God’s word. Sara wanted to be strengthened, encouraged, and exhorted in her role of wife, mother, help meet of her husband and family as written in God’s word. They already had a strong family and they had a very beautiful marriage. With that said their relationship and love for each other grew immensely and rapidly in the Lord. Anyone who saw them or knows them could see that each and every day they loved each other more than yesterday. Billy and Sara’s love for the Lord and others around them abounded more and more each day. Billy and Sara’s relationship with each other, as parents, and as friends is a biblical model for all to follow. Billy grew and grew as Sara and the children’s protector, teacher, provider, and a student at the Lord’s foot stool. He became a “Mighty Man of Valor”. Billy and Sara also possess a tremendous heart for their children and wanted more than anything to see their children not only receive the salvation of the Lord Jesus, but to spend a life hungering for the Lord and that God would become their greatest joy and delight. Over the last few years Billy and Sara poured their hearts, their energy, and their time into their children. They have always homeschooled their wonderful children and Sara will continue in this. Anyone who knows them can see the fruit in their children. We can say without a doubt that Billy and Sara have succeeded in this calling and purpose. They have an amazingly strong family that truly honors and loves the Lord. Sara and the children have made a promise to Billy to continue in the work Billy started in changing and growing the future generation in the love, knowledge, and fear of the Lord Jesus. Billy was a True Deacon - always serving, never complaining. Never even a ‘let me think about it’. He filled in everywhere and every time it was needed. He taught us as pastors how to love our wives and children even more and to passionately seek after our God. We knew him well enough to know that he would want us praising our Father in Heaven in these tough days and in the days to come. Our hearts are heavy and we will miss him dearly.

William Gibson Brown

May 21, 1971 - January 5, 2014