William R. 'Bill' Brown

William "Bill" R. Brown, 73, of Vermilion, passed Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at Mercy New Life Hospice after a brief illness. He was born April 17, 1943 in East Liverpool, OH and had been a Vermilion resident for the past 50 years moving from Salineville. Bill worked as a parts control traffic manager for Ford Motor Co. Lorain and Avon Lake for 36 years retiring in 2006. He had also worked part time for the Vermilion Police Department and ran a lawn mower repair shop. After retiring, Bill worked security for the Cleveland Browns, worked part time at Tractor Supply, and farmed. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Vermilion, Vermilion Lions Club, Masons Ely Lodge #424 where he was past Master, East Townsend Lodge #322, Vermilion RAM Chapter #233, Marks Lodge #359, a charter member of the Blue Steel Lodge #791, and 16th District Past Deputy Grand Master. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, and raising cattle. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Cynthia "Cindy" (nee Fandrich) Brown of Vermilion; daughter, Barbara (Dan) Bogenrief of Rogersville, TN; sons, Richard (Amy Jaynes) Brown of Amherst, William (Deanna) Brown of Vermilion, Michael Brown of Vermilion, step son, Michael McCourt of Vermilion; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; brothers, James Brown of Vermilion, Joseph Brown of Wellsville, and John Brown of Salineville; and sister, Judy Woodburn of Salineville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Velma (nee Speece) Brown, daughter, Lorelei Ann "Lori" Robinson; step daughter, Julie McCourt; and sisters, Nancy Woodburn and Marina Twyford. The family will receive friends on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 from 3:00 pm until the time of a Masonic Service at 7:30 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. Funeral services will be Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Rev. Nick Cacciatore will officiate. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Vermilion Food Pantry, 990 State Street, P.O. Box 228, Vermilion, OH 44089 or Mercy New Life Hospice, 3500 Kolbe Road, Lorain, OH 44053. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.