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William Brown

  • April 3, 1924 - January 14, 2011
  • Newark, New Jersey
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William Brown

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“I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE THAT DECIDES TO SIGN THIS MY GREAT GRANDFATHER IS TRULY MISSED BY ALL OF HIS FAMILY BUT IT WARMS MY HEART TO KNOW SO...Read More » ”
1 of 2 | Posted by: CHANQUILLA - MIAMI, FL

“Mr. Brown would call my office at Essex County and say "tell her it's her brother." Everyone knew who it was. A gentleman I assisted almost 8 years...Read More » ”
2 of 2 | Posted by: Joyce Goldman - Montclair, NJ


William Brown was born on April 3, 1924 in Macon, Georgia, son of Pearl Pace Brown and Sam Brown. He lived in New York, New York, Elizabeth and Potters Crossing, New Jersey before settling in Newark. As a young man, William was employed as an usher and dancer at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. Later, he became a truck driver, worked for ABC Trucking Company and retired from Erie Trucking Company. William's true passion was playing baseball. He became well known all over the world as "Pepitone" during his days with the Newark Eagles of the Negro League. He loved baseball and played in many leagues during the course of his life. He was also known as "Chew Tobacco". He coached the Newark Brown Little League, the Dodgers Little League, the Mets Little League and the Cardinals Little League. Not ready to leave baseball completely in his golden years, he worked for the Parks Department of the City of Newark where he was responsible for the preparation and maintenance of the baseball fields at Westside Park until 2010. He was a member of Humanity Baptist Church in Newark. William loved his family and made it a point to take his children south so that they could get to know their family. He was a very helpful man with a big heart. A real people person. He has been described as a "Walking Book of Knowledge" because he amazed people with the extent of his knowledge. Willam Brown departed this life on Friday, January 14, 2011 at New Community Extended Care Center in Newark at the age of 86. He was predeceased by a daughter, Julia Frazier. He leaves to cherish fond memories, a son, Joseph McLaurin and his wife, Mildred of New York, NY; two daughters, Wileva Brown Durham of Miami, FL and Lisa Roberts and her husband, Vernon of Delran, NJ; 10 grandchildren, David Durham, Samuel Charles, Jacquetta Reagans, Andreya Roberts, Dashawn McLaurin, Tamika Charles and Joseph, Christopher, Kevin and Travis Landon and a host of great grandchildren, other relatives and friends. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of William Brown. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.