Dr. Billy J. Brown

In Loving memory of

Dr. Billy Joe Brown

September 14, 1934 - October 16, 2024.

It is with hearts full of love and much sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Billy J. Brown, age 90, of Rome, Georgia, on October 16, 2024. Born on September 14, 1934, in Floyd County, Billy was the son of the late Wayne and Lillian Brown of Rome. He leaves behind a loving family and many friends far and near.

Billy had a remarkable life from serving his country to serving our Lord Jesus Christ. In 1950 during the Korean War at a young age, Billy entered the United States Army later becoming an Airborne paratrooper (187th Regimental Combat Team) and deployed to the combat zone. He served with distinction as a member of the elite unit known as the Rakkasans. He recalled to family that it was on the battlefield that he prayed for survival and the chance to serve Christ upon his safe return home.

After the war, Billy and his wife (the late Mattie L. Brown) started their family. He also began working at Lockheed Aircraft in Marietta, Georgia. It was during this time he felt the call to the ministry. Later, Billy started his full-time mission to serve Christ in the role of pastor at churches across Northwest Georgia and the Chattanooga, Tennessee, area. He completed his formal Christian education attaining a doctorate degree. Billy eventually answered another call to spread the gospel on the mission field here in the United States, overseas back to South Korea, the Philippines and in the Caribbean. Billy was the founder of Safe Pasture International Inc. that continues its important work to this day.

His passion for helping others introduced Billy to the world of insurance in the mid-sixties that spanned four decades. That business experience began with Mutual of Omaha in Rome and ended with Bankers Life and Casualty in Chattanooga in the role of southeastern manager.

During the early eighties, and through a friendship with the late Georgia Congressman Larry McDonald, Billy was invited to become a member of the Chaplain Corps in Washington, DC. He continued that role closer to home ministering to veterans and assisting in other ways with the Veterans Administration in North Georgia and Tennessee. Billy was a member of American Legion Post 52 in Rome and helped his community with the Rome Exchange Club.

Billy is survived by his wife Leslie, formerly of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He leaves behind daughter Peggy Brown-Galli and her husband Ed of Marco Island, Florida. Billy was predeceased by son Billy Joe Brown, Jr., daughters Sharan Ann Brown Burgdorf, Becky Brown Davis and grandson Will. Other surviving family members include brother Jerry Brown and his wife Kimmy, of Panama City, Florida, daughter-in-law Karen Landrum Brown of Cedartown, son-in-law Bill Burgdorf of Marietta, Georgia, grandchildren Aleah Burgdorf, Adam Burgdorf, Annabeth Burgdorf, Nick Calfee, and Trevor Calfee.

Services celebrating Billy's remarkable life will be held at the Good Shepherd Funeral Home in Rome, Georgia, Saturday, October 26, 2024. The family will welcome visitors for a time of fellowship and remembrance starting at 12:30 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. in the Parnick Jennings, Sr. Chapel. It will be officiated by Dr. Tony Wilson of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Dr. Ricky Vaughn of Riceville, Tennessee.

Billy will be laid to rest in East View Cemetery, 725 Kingston Avenue, Rome, Georgia. The arrangements for Dr. Billy J. Brown’s service are entrusted to Parnick Jennings, Sr. Good Shepherd
Funeral Home, 2750 Shorter Avenue, Rome, Georgia.

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