Bill E. Brown, 79, of Bluffton, passed away Monday afternoon, Aug. 10, 2026, at his residence.
Bill was born in Portland on March 14, 1947, to Donald and Juanita (VanSkyock) Brown. He married Mona L. (Adkins) Shoemaker in Tennessee on March 24, 2006. She preceded him in death on April 18, 2024.
A 1966 graduate of Red Key High School, Bill worked for Franklin Electric in Bluffton as a foreman for 34 years, until retiring in 2011. Bill loved camping and for many years kept his camper at Amishville Campground in Geneva where he enjoyed spending time with his family. For many years he also enjoyed hunting and more recently he picked up birdwatching as a new hobby.
Survivors include two sons, Allen Brown and Brian (Ann) Brown, both of Blountstown, Fla.; two daughters, Melissa (Chris) Alfeld of Bluffton and Katie Banter of Hartford City; a daughter-in-law, Becky Brown of Blountstown, Fla.; three sisters, Janet (John) Harmon of Dunkirk, Peggy (Gary) Tedlock of Bluffton, and Sherry (Doug) Herriford of Portland; a brother, Dave (Nancy) Brown of Portland; along with 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by a son, Martin Brown, and a daughter-in-law, Dee Brown.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, from noon until 3 p.m., at Goodwin – Harnish Funeral Home in Bluffton, followed immediately by a funeral service at 3 p.m. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery in Bluffton.
In honor of Bill’s love for animals, memorial contributions may be made to Wells County Friends of the Shelter.
Online condolences may be made at www.goodwinharnish.com.