William G. Brown will celebrate his 100th birthday with his family on Friday.
Mr. Brown is a retired lawyer and banker. He was born in Rochelle, Ga., the son of Walter and Sarah Elizabeth Hardeman Brown, the youngest of four children. After finishing high school, he graduated from Emory University where in six years he received his bachelor of art and law degrees. Mr. Brown was the first Emory University Law School honor graduate.
He practiced law in Chattanooga from 1933 to 1958. During that period he served in the Navy during World War II in various capacities including Judge Advocate.
After leaving his law practice, Mr. Brown became senior vice-president of the trust department with the American National Bank and Trust Company (later SunTrust). Upon his retirement, he was asked to remain with the bank as counsel for the Bank.
Mr. Brown is an ardent and dedicated member of the First Centenary United Methodist Church, serving in almost every position including chairman of its administrative board and chairman of the board of trustees. At one time, he was one of the most active Methodist laymen of this area.
Also, he has served as an incorporator of Senior Neighbors, chairman of the Chattanooga Area Health Study and president of the Metropolitan Counsel for Community Services.
Mr. Brown was married to Elizabeth Thomas for 65 years and they had a “beautiful and happy life together.” He met his future wife at a party, and about two months later he saw her again at another party, but “she said she couldn’t remember having met me.” Not a man to be so easily rebuffed, he persisted and they were married on Sept. 28, 1935.
Celebrating his birthday with him will be his children, Bill and Diane Brown and Nancy Hutcheson; his grandchildren, Will and Delin Brown, Lane and Barrett Taylor, Sullivan and Meredith Brown, Lavens Brown, Beth Webb, Taylor Griffith and his six great-grandchildren.
Mr. Brown was one of the first residents to move into Alexian Grove (formerly Asbury Place) when it opened. He was also one the first members to join Alexian Brothers Live At Home when it was founded in 2002.