William Rodgers Brown, 80, of Gloucester, answered his final service call Feb. 5, 2017 with his wife of 58 years and 10 months by his side.

Born in Glass, Virginia, he was the son of the late Carroll William Brown and Bessie Hogge Brown West.

Rodgers began his working career with Hodges & Bryant. He worked in the electrical department of Newport News Shipyard. He retired from the Naval Weapons Station Ordnance Engineering and owned Brown’s Electric & HVAC. As a licensed contractor, he held certification as a master electrician, plumber, mechanical and gas fitter. He also owned Gloucester U-Do-It Laundry in Gloucester, Hayes and Mathews. 

He was a member of the Gloucester Ruritan Club with 50 years of perfect attendance, and served as president of the club five times. He also served as Chesapeake District Zone Governor twice. He was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church for over 50 years. He served as chairman of the Administrative Board, Financial Secretary, Membership Chairman and Building Chairman. Rodgers had many interests and never gave up planning for tomorrow. He was loved deeply by his family.

The family would like to thank the wonderful medical professionals that gave him the last 16 years of his life.

In addition to his wife, Rachel Clements Brown, he is survived by his three children, Cheryl Biondolillo (John), Nathan Brown (Joanne), and Matthew Brown (Heather); grandchildren, Ryan Kittrell (Sarah), Sterling Kittrell, Hannah Brown and Hailey Brown; great-grandchildren, Nelson Kittrell and Graham Kittrell; brother, Carroll Evans Brown; mother-in-law, Bessie Abernathey Clements Emory; sister-in-law, Nina West (Carlton); brother-in-law, Charles Clements (Susan), and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and friends.

The family received friends and family at Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, on  Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, from 7-8:30 p.m. A celebration of Rodgers’ life will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, at the funeral home with Pastor Paul Gillespie officiating.  Burial will follow at Windsor Gardens Cemetery, Dutton.

Contributions may be made to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 9824 Spring Branch Drive, James Store, Va. 23128.