William "Burt" Brown

 William “Burt” Charles Brown, 70, of Beaufort, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at his home.

Burt married the love of his life Kathy Beck Brown on June 23, 1979. He told Kathy when they got married, if she ever tried to leave him, he was going to pack his bags and go with her.

Burt graduated East Carteret High School in 1972 and then joined the Army from April of 1973 to April of 1995. (22 years) Two years of his Army career was Active, the other 20 years was Army Reservist. His reservist years he was stationed at the 824th Heavy Boat Company that was located at 4th and Fisher, Morehead City NC.

Burt was definitely not afraid of work. He was raised up farming in Tobacco and Corn from the time he was six years old. He had to have a block of wood on the pedal of the tractor to operate it. He was a Volunteer Firefighter with the Beaufort Fire Dept. for 33 years. He retired as a Level III Firefighter. He obtained his Commercial Driver License while volunteering with the Fire Dept.

In the early years in his life he worked for his father-in-law Bill Beck evenings and weekends. He has also worked for International Paper Company, the Town of Beaufort, Conner Mobile Homes and Russell’s Tree Service. He went on to work for 33 years at Cherry Point MCAS from 1981 until he retired Jan 3, 2014 as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic. He also worked for the Carteret County Public Works Dept. for seven years from April 14, 2014 to Dec. 12, 2022. Burt drove Tow Trucks for his brother-in-law, Billy Beck of Billy Beck’s Towing and Automotive LLC from Dec. 12, 2022 to Oct 4th, 2024 when he reluctantly had to give it up due to health issues. 

Burt was a Deacon/Treasurer at Live Oak Grove Christian Church of Beaufort from the Spring of 1998 to present. Burt loved the Lord. He loved serving as a Deacon and loved his church family.

He loved spending time with his family, church family and extended family. He was always willing to help out where was needed. 

He is survived by his Beloved wife and best friend, Kathy Beck Brown of the home: brothers: Harry Brown Jr. (Shoke), Eddie Brown (Sharon) and Ross James Brown (Joe) all of Beaufort NC; sisters: Lucy A. Lee of Newport, NC, Mary B. Brookman of Jacksonville, NC and Tina L. Davis of Waxhaw, NC. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law: Debra Beck Lewis of Beaufort, NC; Kimberly Beck Tarantello of Torrington, CT. and brothers-in Law: Billy G. Beck Jr (Sherry) of Beaufort NC, Danny Ray Still of Waxhaw, NC. 

Burt is also survived by honorary children: Paula Lewis Fidelholtz (Ted) and Becky Lewis; His honorary grandchildren: Dean Weippert Jr, Lily E. Weippert, Hannah Fidelholtz and Coleton Paul Lewis (Cowboy) and his honorary great-grandson James Dean Weippert all of Beaufort, NC.

He is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as his extended family members and friends. He never met a stranger.

Pre-deceased by his parents: Harry Brown and Helen Brown Dudley and his brothers: Charles Brown, Jack Brown and David Brown and sister: Helena Still; and his brothers-in-law: Luther Paul Lewis, Darrol Lee and his sister-in law, Barbara Brown.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Live Oak Grove Christian Church located at 166 Russells Creek Rd Beaufort, NC. Interment to follow at Carteret Memorial Gardens on Hwy 101, Beaufort, NC with Military Honors. The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:00 PM on Saturday at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Building Fund of Live Oak Grove Christian Church or The Nellie Avery Bible Class, PO Box 771, Beaufort, NC 28516.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.net

Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC.