WILLISVILLE - Rev. Bill N. Brown, 76, of Willisville, Illinois, was called home Sunday morning, February 15, 2015 to be with his Heavenly Father at the St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville. He was born January 28, 1939 in Cutler, Illinois to Kenneth and Leona Vorderbrugge Brown. He married Thelma Lee Watkins on August 5, 1967 at Calvary Baptist Church in Larinburg, NC. They were married for 47 years. She survives of Willisville. At 21 years of age, God called him to the Ministry. From there, he went to Virginia Bible College for 4 years, graduated, and then attended Tennessee Temple University for another 3 years. He graduated with a Bachelor Degree/Master's Degree in Theology/Seminary. Rev. Brown was the founder and Pastor of the Tri-County Independent Baptist Church in Willisville for 50 years. He also founded Tri-County Christian Academy offering 12 years of education and was the first to bring Christian Education to the area. He also pastored at Barbees Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro, NC for 2 of those years. He was Pastor Brown on the Ol Gospel Train at WXAN in Ava for 4 years. In his younger days, he played in a band called The "Key Notes". He was a very talented piano player. He loved the St. Louis Cardinals, boxing, watching birds with his wife, and spending time with his family. He was an Amazing Godly Father. He is also survived by his son, Aaron Brown (Fiancée, Carey Morrison) of Goreville, IL and daughter, Angel (Robert) Shaffer, who was like a son to him of Percy, IL; grandchildren, Olivia, Robert, Chandler and Autumn Shaffer of Percy, Jacque (Terry) Brooks of Clarksville, TN, Faith Brown (Fiancée, Ryan) of Steeleville, Christan and Ciara Brown of Willisville, Kolton Morrison and Kelsey Edmonds of Goreville; great grandchildren, Ronnie and Rylie Brooks of Clarksville, TN; his aunt, Audrey Stevenson of Steeleville; brother, Gene Brown of Willisville; sister-in-law, Gail Brown of Steeleville; and many nieces and nephews. Rev. Brown was preceded in death by his Parents; brother, Bob Brown; sister-in-law, Dixie Brown; uncle, Arther (Norma Lee) Vorderbrugge, uncle, Reuben (Ann) Vorderbrugge and uncle, Clayborne Stevenson. His one purpose in life was to share the Gospel with everyone who came in contact with him. We all love Him dearly, but we know we will see him again. His wife said to him, "See you later, Honey". Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the Tri-County Independent Baptist Church in Willisville with Pastor Collin Hirsch officiating and other Pastors to speak at the service in remembrance of Rev. Bill Brown's legacy. Visitation will be at Tri-County Independent Baptist Church in Willisville on Saturday from 11 am until 1 pm. Memorials may be given to the Tri-County Independent Baptist Church or to the ALS Foundation.