William Paul Brown, age 57, of Mill Spring, N.C., died on Feb. 14, 2017 at Elizabeth Hospice House in Hendersonville, N.C.

He was born in Tryon, N.C., but lived most of his life in Hendersonville, N.C. William retired to property he purchased in Mill Spring.

William passed away from injuries he sustained in a single vehicle accident in his red, Dodge Dakota pickup on Feb. 4, 2017. The accident occurred on Whiteside Road in Mill Spring, N.C. He was airlifted to Spartanburg Regional trauma unit. Due to the severity of his injuries and complications from past traumas, he was taken to Elizabeth Hospice House on Feb. 7 and died Feb. 14, 2017.

William was the son of the late James William Brown, Sr. and the brother of the late James William Brown, Jr. William is survived by his only son, William Scott Brown, and his two granddaughters, Shanna and Kaitlin. He is also survived by his mother Rosa Brown Peters, his brothers Jerry, Kenneth and Roger Brown, his sister, Janet Ray and husband Rodney, and sister, Joyce Brown. He had many nieces and nephews.

William Brown was well known and loved by many in Hendersonville and surrounding areas through his work as a mechanic. He owned his own garage on Oak Grove Road and also worked at OG Orr’s Garage on Airport Road. William sometimes provided labor for free to those who could not afford auto repairs, even going as far as paying for parts himself.

Classic cars were William’s passion. His skill and enthusiasm made him an excellent mechanic. He was known to do work for free for the joy of putting his hands under the hood of a hot rod or muscle car. He won several trophies racing the cars he built at local drag strips.

William was a practical joker who brought humor to any room he entered. It was a skill to know when he was joking or being serious. He was described by family as someone you just had to love. William was a spiritual man who prayed and communed with God daily in nature, God’s greatest cathedral.

William leaves an empty spot in our hearts that can never be filled. He is loved and will be forever remembered by anyone whose life he touched.

William had no life insurance and no funds for his burial. His mother and family would greatly appreciate any help with burial expenses. Donations can be made at gofundme.com/burial-fund-for-william-brown or mailed to his mother, Rosa Peters, 305 Spartan Hts, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

“William Brown, a simple man, a little old school, trying to live a simple life his way.”

– Monty McCraw