Clarence W. Brown

A Time to Be Born and A Time to Die - CLARENCE WILLIAM BROWN was born in Indianapolis, IN on December 19, 1941 to Clarence and Margaret Brown. He was the third oldest of seven children. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Clarence and Margaret Brown; children Jeffrey Brown, Deborah Robertson, and Jeffrey Graham; sister Doris Willis; brothers George and Steven Brown; grandson Dale Brown, Jr.; and his loving wife of 34 years, Mary Nell Brown. Clarence was known by many names, Popa, Dad Billy, Grandpa, Grandpa Billy, Grandad, Mr. Billy, Daddy-O, Uncle Billy, Step-daddy, Popi, Tall Chocolate, as well as a couple of names we can't print, but he was always affectionately known as "Billy" to all who knew and loved him. Billy was baptized in 1965 at Mt. Paran Baptist Church, Indianapolis IN, where he served as an usher. Billy had a reverence and respect for the Lord that most people didn't know or see. Billy departed for eternal life March 27, 2020 at the age of 78, as he and his wife were praying.

A Time to Plant and A Time to Serve - Billy was a lifelong resident of Indianapolis and was educated in the Indianapolis public school system. After multiple jobs during his youth, sowing into the education of family members and helping his mother as much as possible, he was hired at Amtrak railroad in 1960 and proudly retired after 50 years of faithful service in 2010. Amtrak went on to name one of the Painting Stations in Billy's honor.

A Time to Live - Billy was a simple man and a good man, he didn't require a lot of Pomp and Circumstance, he lived life his own way and didn't apologize for being himself. He was a true and loyal friend, not pretentious, not fake just real, sometimes too real especially for the "faint at heart". He had a colorful vocabulary and character to match. Billy had many friends over his lifetime, but there was one who stood out in his later years, Jim Williams, whom he loved and considered more than a friend, Jim was his brother. Billy loved his family which included a multitude of biological children, stepchildren, friends of his children and extended family. Billy possessed culinary skills but was best known for his yearly cookouts demonstrating his barbecuing skills of which he was very proud. A few of Billy's favorite things were neck bones, pig feet, Kitten's chitlins, listening to his music, and eating sweets. Billy loved life but regretted not being able to be more mobile and travel after the onset of his multiple illnesses and decline in health.

A Time to Love and A Time To Laugh - Billy met Jacqui on November 27, 2014, Thanksgiving Day, at a mutual friend's home for dinner Neither knew nor expected their lives would be changed forever after Billy gave her a big hug at the end of Thanksgiving dinner. Jacqui describes Billy as her best friend, her "ride or die", her "unexpected where-did-you-come from love", a diamond in the rough, very coarse, but given the proper attention shined brighter than any "Brilliant cut with 57 facets". He was a kind-hearted with a heart larger than most knew, a Man's Man who was intellectually underestimated, but truly displayed old-fashioned wisdom. She felt blessed to share in things he had never done, foods he had never tried or tasted, places he had never been. They were always on an "adventure" and "had things to do" even if it was just to the movies or a new restaurant. They laughed at things that only they "got". We never said "goodbye" at the end of conversations we always said, "I love you Baby, see you later." Billy and Jacqui were married on July 21, 2019. Jacqui states that "we brought happiness into each other's lives in our latter years; God knew we would need each other during this time".

A Time to Rejoice and Receive His Gift - Billy has gone home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ecclesiastes 3:13 says "Every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor it is a gift of God". Billy was tired, he had given to others his entire life and deserved an easier life. Now it is his time to rest.

A Time To Be Remembered - Billy leaves to cherish his memory his dedicated wife Jacqueline Harden-Brown; his four sons Dale (Linda) and Vincent (Yolanda) Brown, Rodney Robertson and Lucas (Donna) Grimm, six-step children, Janice Howard, Jina (David) Helms, NaShae (Jose) Perez, Jaime Charleston, April Perez, and Paul Harden Jr. He also leaves behind his three siblings; Elaine Crawford, Alicia Brown, and Mark (Susan); as well as 11 grandchildren, Camilla and Deja Brown, Kiara Spells, Donald (Erica) Robertson, Brandi Robinson, Latoya Toliver, Sean Graham, LaShonda Davidson, 11 Step-grandchildren, Daniel (Lauren) Render, Michael and Jerel (Kaelan) Hill, Lexis Charleston, Sarai Cannon, Amari and Brinli Helms, KaiLen Easley and Christian, Amaiya and Carson Perez, amidst these loved ones, he also leaves behind a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other loved ones and an array of cherished friends.

It's an understatement to say that we will miss him greatly!