William Brown III
October 3, 1944 – October 13, 2023
Leesburg, Florida – William “Bill” Oliver Brown III passed away Friday, October 13, 2023 in Leesburg, Florida at the age of 79.
Bill was born in Miami, FL on October 3rd, 1944. During his youth Bill developed a passion for music and singing. After graduating from Coral Gables Senior High School, he attended the University of Miami on a music scholarship and was able to travel the world with the Singing Hurricanes; at one point meeting Prince Charles. Bill received his bachelor’s and master’s degree in history from the University of Miami.
After graduating from University of Miami, Bill started teaching American History at Palmetto Junior High School. One of his star students was current Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. He remained at Palmetto for 30 years before beginning another teaching career at Gulliver Preparatory School in 1997. He remained at Gulliver until his retirement in 2018; a career that spanned over 50 years. For many of those years Bill continued his passion for singing as a member of the choir and as a soloist at the Coral Gables Congregational Church and Perrine Baptist Church.
In 1971, Bill married Mary Brownlee Holmberg and was the father of two sons, William Oliver Brown IV and Lee Tyson Brown. Bill was an avid fisherman and enjoyed traveling, gardening, and collecting antiques and Florida memorabilia. Through teaching and across his extended family and friends, Bill touched the lives of countless individuals. He will be greatly missed and forever loved by all.
Bill is survived by sister Mary Winton Lawrence, sons William Oliver Brown IV and Lee Tyson Brown, daughter-in-law Tira Selby Brown, granddaughter Kiley Ann Brown, and former wife and friend Mary Brownlee Brown. Bill was predeceased by his mother Dorothy Augusta Brown, father William Oliver Brown, Jr. and brother-in-law, David Ray Lawrence.
A celebration of life will be held in Leesburg, FL at a day & time to be determined.
