William Curtis Brown passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. He was born December 24, 1932 in Colbert County, AL to Theodore Brown and Georgia Ricks Brown. Curtis enlisted in the US Air Force in 1950 and was honorably discharged in 1954. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University in 1958.

In October 1958, Curtis was hired as an Associate Engineer for the Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle, WA. In September 1963, he accepted a position as a Research Engineer with Lockheed Missile and Space Company in Sunnyvale, CA. In 1964, he was hired by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company in Winston-Salem, NC as its first Black engineer. His career with RJ Reynolds spanned a total of 28 years (four years in the Engineering Department and 24 years as an executive in the Purchasing Department.)

Curtis was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., The Social Promoters Club, and Caregivers Ministry at First Baptist Church. He also volunteered with various non-profit organizations and served as a Board Member for The Salvation Army, Reynolds Carolina Credit Union, Forsyth Medical Center, and St. Phillips Child Development Corporation.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Deloris A. Brown.

He is survived by his daughters, Ms. Delisa Brown and Dr. Deidra Brown of W-S, NC; and many dear extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, February 20, 2016 at First Baptist Church, 700 N. Highland Ave. W-S, NC. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services from 12noon until 1:00pm on Saturday at the Church. The Alpha Phi Alpha Omega Ceremony will be held at 10:45am on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Capital Campaign Fund-First Baptist Church, 700 N. Highland Ave. W-S, NC 27101.