Bill Brown

William S. Brown (Bill) passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on Sunday, June 22, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rachael Cohen; his children, Tracey (Andy) Appelbaum, Laurie Epstein, and Ricky (Alexis) Brown; and his cherished grandchildren, Sam and Jamie Appelbaum, Cali and Alec Epstein, Sophie and Lexi Epstein, and Brody and Grahm Brown.

Born on October 10, 1931, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Bill grew up in Scranton. He earned his undergraduate degree in Engineering from the Lowell Institute of Technology in Boston and went on to receive an MBA from the University of Michigan. Following his studies, he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Panama—where he often joked that he “guarded the Panama Canal.”

Bill had an entrepreneurial spirit that shone throughout his life. He founded International Foods, an import/export business servicing South America. When the computer revolution began in the late 1960s, Bill spent four years with IBM as a salesman before founding his own company: Compudata Professional Systems Ltd. Under his leadership, Compudata became Georgia’s largest provider of computer systems and medical processing software for healthcare practices throughout the state of Georgia. After selling the company in 1995, Bill embraced a life filled with travel, tennis, golf, and—most importantly—precious time with his children and grandchildren. He also embarked on a passionate journey to uncover his family’s history. He devoted countless hours to tracing his ancestor’s footsteps, piecing together his lineage. This pursuit was more than a hobby. It was a deeply personal quest to connect with his heritage and create or rekindle relationships with many of his relatives.

Known for his quick wit, boundless thirst for knowledge, and an ever-welcoming smile, Bill had a knack for making friends wherever he went. He brought joy, warmth, and laughter to those lucky enough to know him. He will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to either the Gentry Foundation for Autism (thegentryfoundation.org) or Birthright Israel Foundation (birthrightisrael.foundation).

FUNERAL SERVICE: Sunday, June 29, 2025 10:30 AM at Arlington Memorial Park.

RECORDING: Please click here to view the funeral service livestream recording.

SHIVA: Shiva will begin at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 29th at 750 Park Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 in the Park Avenue Condominiums Events Hall.