The quote that can best sum up the life of Bill Brown is from his goddaughter, Blaire Wells, "you taught me love is what makes a person your family". Under that notion, Bill's family expanded far and wide, and many lives are better off because of him.
Billy "Bill" Clarence Brown, 83, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on April 25, 2024. Born on October 14, 1940, in Crab Orchard, Kentucky, he was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, and brother.
Bill dedicated his life to education, serving as a teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools for over 25 years, with most of his time spent at Southern High School. There he served as a teacher and basketball coach from 1974 to 1995. During his 22 years as a Girls' Basketball Coach, he achieved remarkable success with a winning record of 475/154. He built a program that participated in the State Tournament 10 times with the Lady Trojans winning the State Championship in 1988. This program went almost 6 years without losing a regional game while winning the Louisville Invitational Tournament (1987, 1988) and being the only out-of-state team to win the Santa Barbara (CA) Tournament of Champions in 1988/89.
Throughout his career, Bill received numerous accolades, such as being honored as Regional Coach of the Year (1982, 1984), KY-IN All Star Coach (1986), KY Courier Journal Coach of the Year (1987), and Associated Press Coach of the Year(1987). He has been inducted into the Southern High School Hall of Fame(2001), the Jefferson County (KY) Metro Area Athletic Directors' High School Hall of Fame (2001), Dawahares KHSAA Hall of Fame (2010) and the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame (2021).
In all his years as a hall of fame high school basketball coach and a lifetime supporter of the UK basketball and football, Bill never met a ref with whom he didn't have a bone to pick. Known for his tough, hard-nosed style of coaching, he was an intense opponent and a legendary women's coach. But despite that tough demeanor, he was quick with a smile and a hug, and was known as someone who cared deeply for his players,
supporting and loving them through their high school years and beyond.
Apart from his love of coaching, Bill also was a devoted dad, Papa, and 'Bull'. He adored his grandchildren and spent much of his retirement traveling in his RV to see them, sharing his love of Nascar and UK basketball with them. He also had a love of music, particularly enjoying performances by the Oak Ridge Boys, whose concerts he had been going to for over 40 years.
Bill is survived by his wife, Judy Borders Brown; daughter, Marisa Brown; son-in-law, Peter Bauer; grandchildren, Otis and Lola Bauer; and brother, Gail Brown. He was preceded in death by his sister ,Marilyn Brown Pope; father ,Ernest Brown; and mother, Jewel Brown.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 2 to 7 pm, with a service following on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 11 am at Fern CreekFuneral Home, located at 5406 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40291. Bill found solace in worship at Eastland Church of Christ.
Fern Creek Funeral Home is assisting with the funeral arrangements. Bill will be dearly missed by all who knew him, and his legacy will live on through the lives he touched.