William Brown

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rev. William (Bill) Brown, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on September 6th at the age of eighty-eight.

Bill spent his entire life in service to God and over sixty years in formal ministry. From a young age, he was involved in the Ecumenical Movement. He believed all Christians share a common faith in Jesus Christ and that historical divisions should be overcome to create a better world. Bill attended Methodist College (1950-1956); Edgehill Theological College (1956-1960), was a probationer for the Irish Methodist Ministry (1960-1963) and was ordained in June of 1963 in the Methodist Church of Ireland in Dublin. Bill then spent one year at Selly Oaks Missionary College in Birmingham, England (1963-1964). His first pastorate was in Mountmellick, Ireland (1964-1966). 

Next, he travelled with his young family, to Jamaica, West Indies (Savana-la-mar Methodist Church in Westmoreland). During his time in Jamaica (1966-1971), he was pastor of a five-point charge, taught in Manning High School, managed three elementary schools of approximately 1000 students each, and led training for Lay Preachers for Jamaica and Haiti. Prior to ending his time in Jamaica, he ensured the building of St. Patrick's Methodist Church near Frome.

Upon returning to Ireland, Bill studied at Queen's University and held a pastorate in Portadown, Northern Ireland (1971-1972). However, "The Troubles" were at their height and the family accepted an invitation to move to Canada.

Bill was called to the Borderlands Pastoral Charge, in the Cypress Hills Presbytery of the Saskatchewan Conference: a three-point charge - Coronach, Rockglen, and Kildeer (1972-1974). He then served in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (at Zion United from 1974-1976); in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (at St. Paul's United from 1976-1989), in Oakville, Ontario (at Glen Abbey United from 1989-2003), and in St. John's Newfoundland (Gower Street United from 2003-2005). He often said that Gower Street was one of the greatest joys of his life as he had the privilege to serve with the Very Rev. Dr. Marion Pardy. Bill's final charges were in Ottawa, Ontario (Dominion Chalmers United from 2005 - 2008), and Navan, Ontario (Navan-Vars United from 2008 - 2013).

Throughout his years of calling to the church, Bill was known for his bible-based fiery sermons, often waking parishioners with a thump on the pulpit, challenging them to think differently, his Irish accent (which occasionally, got him in trouble), his great sense of humour, his deep empathy, and his beautiful Irish tenor voice breaking through during hymns and, when he performed an occasional solo of O Danny Boy or Jerusalem. He never hid his left-leaning beliefs and always fought for social justice and human rights. He was quickly hurt if he thought things were unjust. Bill marched against nuclear war and spoke out in support of LGBTQIA+ members of the congregation. Those who really knew Bill were aware of his love of the colour green, his lack of golf skills - including having to be stopped from retrieving his ball near an alligator (!), his desire for ice-cream, and his passion for books. At one point, his book hoarding became an annual cleaning session, but those events upset him dearly as he claimed books were his "safe place" and his most trusted "friends". He was lucky in life as his warm personality, gentle pastoral care, humour infused Bible Study, forged many lifelong friendships from around the globe. To his sadness, he outlived many of them. We want those of you still around to remember the laughter, camaraderie, and stories, as he was before, and not in recent years where dementia took him away while his body forged on. Remember, his proclamation of the Good News as only he could deliver it. Remember his crazy trips to his little home in Florida. Remember the times shared with both him and his brother, Sam. Remember, the hugs. 

Bill was born on November 3, 1937, in Belfast, Northern Ireland to William (Bill) Goudie Brown and Maisie Brown (Mary McKinstry). He was the second of three children: Samuel, William, and Catherine (Irene). All four have passed before him.

Bill is survived by his three daughters from his first marriage to Joan Brown: Dr. Christine Perkins (Michael), Caroline Brown, and Tara Brown (Michael Maier), all, currently, of Saskatoon, SK. Bill was predeceased by his second wife, Nancy, and cherished his relationship with his stepdaughter, Kathy Lees (Steve) of California. Bill was the proud grandfather of: Liam (Solin); Keegan (Tanner); Gillian (Graeme), Aveleen, William, Jessica (Vince), Aleisha, and Liam Martin.

His eldest grandson, Liam Epp, and his wife, Dr. Solin Saleh, gave Bill his first great-grandchild. Elliott was born on September 15th, 2025. His granddaughter, Gillian, and her husband, Graeme, are expecting his second great-grandchild in October.

He had great love for his brother Sam's (Patsy) children: Marc (Elizabeth), Jonathan (deceased), and Melanie; and their children Jennifer, Robyn Lucy, and Andreas. He leaves great nieces: twins D'arcy and Amber, and Georgia. Later in life, he was lucky enough to share many travels with his brother, Sam, throughout Canada, United States, the Middle East, and Europe. His favourite place in the world, besides Ireland, Jamaica, and Canada, was Porto, Portugal.

Bill loved dogs all his life and leaves grand-dogs, Finnigan and Obi, and five grand-cats: Carrick, Fergus, Luke, Leia, and Sidney.

The family would like to thank all those who provided good, kind, timely medical attention at RUH, the folk at Sherbrooke, and all friends and members of past congregations who showed Dad love and care, as well as, all those who visited, shared memories, cards, gifts, and meals during his final days among us.

Bill has pre-planned for his, and Nancy's, cremains to be laid to rest at the Navan United Cemetery in Ontario fulfilling the adapted words to O Danny Boy by Gerry Dust:

...But come ye back when summers in the meadow
Or when old Navan's hushed and white with snow.
We'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh, Billy boy, oh Billy Boy, we love you so.