Bill Wesley Brown, a former associate professor in industrial arts, died Jan. 19, 2011, in Willows, Calif. He was 81.
Born on Jan. 31, 1929, in Belleville, Ill., Brown dedicated his life to education, graduating from Southern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial education in 1953 and a master’s degree in education in 1954. In 1960, Brown earned his doctoral degree from the University of Missouri.
He was hired in 1960 as an associate professor of industrial arts at Northern Arizona University, then called Arizona State College, where for three years he also served as head resident of Taylor Hall, living in the residence hall apartment with his family.
In 1967, Brown was hired as chair of Chico State College’s Industry and Technology Department, for which he developed its technical writing module, eventually authoring the course textbook and four more books. He retired from the college in 1991, but continued his commitment to higher education by serving on Butte Community College’s Board of Trustees for 19 years until his death.
Brown is survived by his wife, Judith; stepdaughter Susan (Tom) Swenson; first wife June Cole and their three children: Carol Brown, Nancy (Steve) Williams, and David (Jaye) Brown; six grandchildren; and many extended family members.
Those wishing to commemorate his life may donate to the Butte-Glenn Community College Foundation, the Bill Wesley Brown Kiwanis Industrial Technology Scholarship, the Willows Elks Scholarships, or to a favorite charity.