William “Bill” H. Brown passed away on January 24, 2025. To honor him and show respect for his devout service to his community, flags on Montgomery County buildings will be flown at half-staff through February 1, 2025.
Currently, flags are being flown at half-staff in "memory and respect of
James Earl ‘Jimmy’ Carter Jr., 39th President of the United States" through January 28.
After joining the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors in 2008, Bill served as chair in 2014 and 2015, and vice chair in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He retired from the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors in 2015.
During his tenure with the Board of Supervisors, he served on several committees and boards in the Montgomery County community. Bill actively participated in establishing a responsive and efficient means of handling 911 emergency communications within the County by establishing a regional 911 Authority with the Town of Blacksburg, the Town of Christiansburg and Virginia Tech.
He also served on the Fire and Rescue Commission, Juvenile Detention Commission, Resource Conservation and Development District, the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Investment Act Consortium Board, the Western Virginia Regional Jail Authority, Public Service Authority, Road Viewers Board, alternate on the Montgomery Regional Economic Development Commission, and the Riner Fire and Rescue Facilities Needs Advisory Task Force.
While serving on the Board of Supervisors, he helped facilitate several capital projects, including a new Courthouse, Public Safety Building, Price's Fork Elementary School, Eastern Montgomery Elementary School, Auburn Middle School, Auburn High School, and Blacksburg High School. In addition, he served an integral role in the completion of the Huckleberry Trail, a walkway/bikeway following an abandoned railroad track connecting the County and the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg.
In addition to his service on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Bill joined the Blacksburg Police Department in the 1970's. He worked his way up the ranks to the role of Blacksburg Police Chief in 1994 and remained Chief until his retirement from the force in 2006.
Bill will be remembered for his selfless service both to his country as a Vietnam veteran and in his community.
McCoy Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. The service will be held on Saturday, February 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.