Individual Details
Wilbur Gene "Will" Brown
(July 23, 1931 - September 22, 2015)
July 23, 1931-September 22, 2015
RUPERT • Wilbur Gene Will Brown, 84, of Rupert, left his earthly family and met his Heavenly Father face-to-face on Tuesday, September 22, 2015, passing peacefully in his sleep.
The oldest of three sons, Will was born to Harold and Vergil Brown on July 23, 1931, in Pickardville, North Dakota. The family was engaged in farming. When Will was 4 years old, he and his parents moved from Pickardville to Priest River, Idaho. At this tender age, Will had already set a goal to go to college because his father wanted him to have a future filled with the many options that an education would provide. Will learned at his fathers knee the importance of education and the value of a hard days work. If he was not working, Wills nose was deep into his studies or a book. His dad always stressed his desire that Will get a good, solid education. His fathers desire became Wills dream. The familys early years were spent on a farm, where hard-work and good old fashioned values were instilled in all the boys. After the family moved to Priest River, Idaho, their father suffered a fatal heart attack when Will was a young man of 16. Will slipped into the role of the man of the house easily, helping his mother rear his younger brothers, Calvin and Arlie. These years became advantageous to Will when he became a single dad years later for his son, Vance. After graduating high school in Priest River, Will entered the Army. Following his Service to his Country, he began pursuing his passion for education. He put himself through college in stages, working and saving until he could afford each years tuition and books. He eventually earned his doctorate in education, and was proud of accomplishing his fathers dream for him. Will received his education with the help of the GI Bill, but without additional student loans. His career in education spanned over 30 years, Will was forced to raise his only child and son, Vance, as a single father after Vances mother chose to leave her family. Will modeled faithfulness, loving authority and genuine love to his son, Vance, consistently over many years. Wills example made it easier for Vance to believe in God the Father and that God disciplines in love-and for Vance to trust in the true and living God Who sent His own Son the Lord Jesus to live and die for our sins. Before Will married the first time to Vances mother, Beverly, Will wanted to be a coach because he had a coach in high school whom he admired. Will taught and coached for many years and decided to become a school principal and later to become a school superintendent in a larger school district.
Throughout his career, Will worked in numerous western states, and concluded his career in the early 1990s when he retired from his position as Superintendent of Jerome School District. Following retirement, Will discovered 24 hours goes much too slow if the day is not filled with students, teachers and administrators. He promptly found a new career and a new love. His career in real estate was born, and he became an agent, a broker, landlord and property manager over a 25 year span. He also met the love of his life, Treva. Together they lived, loved and danced for over 20 golden years.
Over the past year, while struggling with health issues, that ended the dancing, Will still went to work each day, never letting on to anyone that he was not well, joking and teasing his co-workers and expressing concern for their well-being and their individual families.
Will was active in Kiwanis, the Toastmaster, the Burley and Rupert Chambers of Commerce, and more, where he often entertained with his quick wit and phenomenal humor. As exemplary as Wills life was, he will be most remembered (and missed) for his incredible smile, boisterous laughter and endless sense of humor. He was a jovial man who lived and loved life, every moment of every day! In fact, Vance remembers from childhood his fathers favorite melody: Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, Zip-a-dee-ay. My, oh my, what a wonderful day!
Will was preceded in death by his parents, his youngest brother Arlie, and his great grandson, Jake Kaes. Will is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Treva; his son Vance Brown (Elisa Park) of Annandale, Virginia; his brother Cal (Jean) Brown of Spokane, Washington; his cousins Marie (Yukio) Hutchinson of Lakewood (and Spokane) Washington and Bill Rose of Spokane,Washington; his nephews Rocky (Cindy) Brown of Salt Lake City, Utah; Scott Brown of Kalispell, Montana, Nick Brown of Bend, Oregon; Randy Brown, Jeff Brown and Rob Brown all of Spokane; his step-daughters, Barbara (David) Bremers and Beverly (Steve) Gordon; his step-son, Larry (Karen Wasko) Hansen; five grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Cremation is under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home of Rupert, Idaho. As per Wills wishes, no viewing or services are planned at this time. A private family memorial service with urn placement will be held at the Priest River Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be given to the Rupert Public library.
RUPERT • Wilbur Gene Will Brown, 84, of Rupert, left his earthly family and met his Heavenly Father face-to-face on Tuesday, September 22, 2015, passing peacefully in his sleep.
The oldest of three sons, Will was born to Harold and Vergil Brown on July 23, 1931, in Pickardville, North Dakota. The family was engaged in farming. When Will was 4 years old, he and his parents moved from Pickardville to Priest River, Idaho. At this tender age, Will had already set a goal to go to college because his father wanted him to have a future filled with the many options that an education would provide. Will learned at his fathers knee the importance of education and the value of a hard days work. If he was not working, Wills nose was deep into his studies or a book. His dad always stressed his desire that Will get a good, solid education. His fathers desire became Wills dream. The familys early years were spent on a farm, where hard-work and good old fashioned values were instilled in all the boys. After the family moved to Priest River, Idaho, their father suffered a fatal heart attack when Will was a young man of 16. Will slipped into the role of the man of the house easily, helping his mother rear his younger brothers, Calvin and Arlie. These years became advantageous to Will when he became a single dad years later for his son, Vance. After graduating high school in Priest River, Will entered the Army. Following his Service to his Country, he began pursuing his passion for education. He put himself through college in stages, working and saving until he could afford each years tuition and books. He eventually earned his doctorate in education, and was proud of accomplishing his fathers dream for him. Will received his education with the help of the GI Bill, but without additional student loans. His career in education spanned over 30 years, Will was forced to raise his only child and son, Vance, as a single father after Vances mother chose to leave her family. Will modeled faithfulness, loving authority and genuine love to his son, Vance, consistently over many years. Wills example made it easier for Vance to believe in God the Father and that God disciplines in love-and for Vance to trust in the true and living God Who sent His own Son the Lord Jesus to live and die for our sins. Before Will married the first time to Vances mother, Beverly, Will wanted to be a coach because he had a coach in high school whom he admired. Will taught and coached for many years and decided to become a school principal and later to become a school superintendent in a larger school district.
Throughout his career, Will worked in numerous western states, and concluded his career in the early 1990s when he retired from his position as Superintendent of Jerome School District. Following retirement, Will discovered 24 hours goes much too slow if the day is not filled with students, teachers and administrators. He promptly found a new career and a new love. His career in real estate was born, and he became an agent, a broker, landlord and property manager over a 25 year span. He also met the love of his life, Treva. Together they lived, loved and danced for over 20 golden years.
Over the past year, while struggling with health issues, that ended the dancing, Will still went to work each day, never letting on to anyone that he was not well, joking and teasing his co-workers and expressing concern for their well-being and their individual families.
Will was active in Kiwanis, the Toastmaster, the Burley and Rupert Chambers of Commerce, and more, where he often entertained with his quick wit and phenomenal humor. As exemplary as Wills life was, he will be most remembered (and missed) for his incredible smile, boisterous laughter and endless sense of humor. He was a jovial man who lived and loved life, every moment of every day! In fact, Vance remembers from childhood his fathers favorite melody: Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, Zip-a-dee-ay. My, oh my, what a wonderful day!
Will was preceded in death by his parents, his youngest brother Arlie, and his great grandson, Jake Kaes. Will is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Treva; his son Vance Brown (Elisa Park) of Annandale, Virginia; his brother Cal (Jean) Brown of Spokane, Washington; his cousins Marie (Yukio) Hutchinson of Lakewood (and Spokane) Washington and Bill Rose of Spokane,Washington; his nephews Rocky (Cindy) Brown of Salt Lake City, Utah; Scott Brown of Kalispell, Montana, Nick Brown of Bend, Oregon; Randy Brown, Jeff Brown and Rob Brown all of Spokane; his step-daughters, Barbara (David) Bremers and Beverly (Steve) Gordon; his step-son, Larry (Karen Wasko) Hansen; five grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Cremation is under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home of Rupert, Idaho. As per Wills wishes, no viewing or services are planned at this time. A private family memorial service with urn placement will be held at the Priest River Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be given to the Rupert Public library.
Events
| Birth | July 23, 1931 | Pickardville, North Dakota | |||
| Marriage | Abt, 1995 | Treva Avert Huffman | |||
| Death | September 22, 2015 | Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho, USA |
Families
| Spouse | Treva Avert Huffman |