William Douglas "Bill" Brown

WILLIAM DOUGLAS "BILL" BROWN, 83, of Little Rock, passed away Friday, March 4, 2011 in Springdale, Ark. from complications he suffered from Parkinson's disease. He was born in Little Rock, Ark. on Aug. 23, 1927 to the late Douglas George Brown and Mary Williamson Brown. Bill attended Columbia Military Academy and graduated from Little Rock High School. At the age of 24 he was president of Southern Rendering Company, a business he continued to expand after his father's death. He was also President of El Dorado Poultry By-Products and Louisiana Poultry Bi-Products. He sat on the Board of the National Renderers Association Mountaire Corporation and was President of the 7th Regional Renderers Association. He served as a vice-president of Little Rock Mack and was a member of the Little Rock Rotary Club. Bill served his country in the US Navy during WWII. A pilot who loved flying, Bill also had a passion for golf and woodworking, making furniture his children continue to enjoy. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Alyce Branch Brown; his children, William Douglas Brown Jr. of Mount Pleasant, Texas, Janet Mefford of Russellville, Ark., Mary B. Hill of Little Rock, Ark. and Sarah McKay of Springdale, Ark.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and two nieces. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 7, 2011 at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital or Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.