of Maumelle, AR
August 22, 1926 - September 7, 2023
William Frederick Bown went to be with the Lord on September 7, 2023, at the age of 97. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 22, 1926 to Everett Tennyson Bown and Harriet Estelle (Gleichman) Bown.
Bill was a World War II Veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from November 1943 - February 1945 as a Guard Patrolman and received an Honorable Discharge. He attended school in Detroit. He worked with his father and brothers for several years at Bown Floor Company, then as a wood model maker for the automotive industry in Detroit. He moved to Little Rock, AR when Doctor's Hospital opened in 1975, where he worked as a carpenter in the maintenance department. From a young boy until a few years ago, he crafted and flew radio-controlled airplanes. Bill received his private pilot's license at age 63 and enjoyed flying his plane, a Cessna 172 4-seater. He was a member of First Christian Church of Maumelle, AR and a member of the Maumelle senior center, enjoying lunch time, Wii bowling and bean bag baseball. He was lovingly called ''Buzz'' most of his life and known to his grandchildren as ''Grandpa Buzz''. He lived on his own in his home until July 2023 and spent his last days living with his son, Douglas.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Jean Hazell Bown (deceased 2005), and his siblings, Bettye, Donald, and Richard. He is survived by his children, Pamela (Jack) Zendt, Kenneth (Mary) Bown, Douglas (Jane) Bown, Susan (Mike) Wilkinson; ten grandchildren, David (Debbie) Melby, Scott (Heather) Melby, Keith (Estefani) Bown; Marlene (Beth Walsh) Bown; Leslie (Andy) Teague; Sarah (James) Butler, Stephanie (Michael) McLaughlin, Natalie (Reggie) Rose, Beth (Neal) Reed and Megan (Adam) James; nineteen great-grandchildren, Bryan (Sara Rose) Melby, Curtis (Stephanie) Melby, Kortney Melby, Cale Daniel Burke, Christopher (Gretchen) Melby, Jensen Melby, Noah Bown, Abigail Mia Bown, Ethan Keith Bown, Elizabeth Teague, Rachel Teague, Greyson Butler, Harrison Butler, Meyer McLaughlin, William Rose, Ella Rose, Brooks Reed, Reilly Reed and Tyson James; five great-great-grandchildren, Elianna Rose Samantha Melby, Stephen David Melby, Damian William Melby, Lake Lawrence Melby and Oaklee May Melby.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 9:30am with a service following at 10:00am in the Chapel of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, AR. Neal Winstead will be officiating, with music by pianist, Dr. Christy Huskey. Burial will follow with Military Honors, at Crestlawn Memorial Park, Conway, AR.
In lieu of flowers, the family has chosen two charities:
Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116 or
Maumelle Center on the Lake, 2 Jackie Johnson Cove, Maumelle, AR 72113
(please make checks payable to ''Counting On Each Other'' and write
''Maumelle Center on the Lake'' in the memo line).
Sign Guestbook
7 Condolence(s)
Colleen Gingas (Bown)
Monday, September 11, 2023
I have so many wonderful memories of Uncle Bill! I was always amazed of his attention to detail in everything he did: radio controlled airplanes, home building, cabinet making, etc. Then when he achieved his pilots license, I was even more amazed. Such an intelligent person with a love for music (i was amazed at his special sound system he installed in his Lake Orion custom home). He was very special to me. Love you forever Uncle Bill â¤ï¸
Stella Bown (sister in law)
Monday, September 11, 2023
Dear brother in law, now you can join Richard, Don, Bette, mom & dad at the table. I miss our Sunday calls.
Stella Bown (sister in law)
Monday, September 11, 2023
Dear brother in law, now you can join Richard, Don, Bette, mom & dad at the table. I miss our Sunday calls.
The Zawacki Family
Monday, September 11, 2023
A memorial tribute has been sent to the Maumelle Center on the Lake in honor of Buzz’.
Our deepest condolences to a wonderful man and a life well lived.
From the Zawacki Family
Amy Bown Ingoglia, Matthew Ingoglia, Vincent & Averie Ingoglia
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Our sincere condolences to our Arkansas family with the recent passing of my Uncle Buzz. He was the last of the siblings in the family. We pray he is at peace with all of our family & friends that have gone before him. May his memories be eternal. ðŸ™ðŸ¼ðŸ™ðŸ¼â¤ï¸
Earl Glover
Sunday, September 10, 2023
So sorry to read about Bills passing. We had some great times together with model airplanes. He taught me so much about building he had one way of building and that was the correct way no exceptions. After I became disable I no longer went to the field and did not see him very much. I am sure he is boring holes in the sky. My prayers are with the family.
Patton’s
Saturday, September 9, 2023
How fortunate Buzz lived through and experienced nearly a century of worldly changes…and to have such an extended family who cared for him. May he rest in peace and may his beloved family find comfort in their decades of memories.