Bill Brown

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

William (“Bill”) Edward Brown, 88, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away at 3:05 pm on Thursday, June 18, 2024, at Wildwood Senior Living in Joplin, MO after a lengthy time of ill health.

Bill was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a friend to many. He had a strong unwavering faith in God. He loved traveling with his wife, Eva, going on several cruises and had been to Maui, Hawaii on 26 separate occasions. Bill & Eva celebrated 62 years of marriage before her passing in November 2024.

Bill was born on August 4, 1937, in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from Verdugo Hills High School in Tujunga, California in 1955, then moved to Glendale, California where he worked as a production supervisor for Don Baxter pharmaceuticals. There he would meet his soon-to-be wife, Eva.

He married Eva Bigelow on July 21, 1962, in La Crescenta, California, then moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1968. In 1972, they moved to Joplin where he held various management positions for Safeway Bakery for over 20 years, before retiring around 1995. He had been an active member of Forest Park Baptist Church since 1973 and was honored to serve as a Deacon and always had a welcoming smile to visitors and members alike. 

Bill is survived by his children; Rick (Tammy) Brown of Carthage, Missouri and Cynthia “Cindy” (Doug) Ward of Joplin, Missouri, eight grandchildren; Dustin (Hannah) Brown, Jason (Kali) Brown, Nathan (Holly) Brown, Alicia Shofner, Marissa (Samuel) Womble, Sarina Shofner, Brent (Morgan) Ward, Amber (Ashton) Cate, and seventeen great-grandchildren; Cardin Brown, Maclin Brown, Creed Brown, Knox Brown, Trace Brown, Brooks Brown, Ily Brown, Brody Brown, Aubrey Brown, Rowdy Brown, Hadley Wright, Hudsynn Wright, Jack Wright, Adalie Womble, Asher Womble, Judah Cate and Jovie Cate. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eva Brown; his parents, John and Carmele Brown; and sisters; Gloria Carr and Jackie Fleck.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given in Bill's memory to Mwangaza International, an organization he cared deeply for.

Visitation
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
10:00AM - 11:00AM
Forest Park Church
725 S Highview Ave
Joplin, MO 64801

Service
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
11:00AM
Forest Park Church
725 S Highview Ave
Joplin, MO 64801
Officiant: Brian Jump

Interment
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
12:30PM
Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery
415 N. St. Louis Ave.
Joplin, MO 64801