William Howard Brewer Sr.

View Funeral Webcast

William H. Brewer, Sr., 69, passed away at his Columbia residence on May 2, 2024 with visits from family and friends filling up some of his final hours and days.

William lived a life where sharing the gospel with others was of highest importance.

This led him to his involvement with local nonprofits that assisted those in great need. Most notably in recent years he gave much of his time to supporting the ministry Room in the Inn, which helped to provide temporary housing for the homeless.

Additionally, his work with other groups like the Family Center, Common Threads and The Well Outreach and Sleep in Heavenly Peace left a profound impact that will be sorely missed within the community.

You could often find William by following the trail of fresh wood shavings where he was working on some new carpentry project. He loved carving wood walking canes and demonstrated his love for country and veterans by carrying the canes with him and giving a cane to a veteran, wherever he may meet them.

Still, his work with numerous community ministries and his love of others did not overshadow his deep devotion to his own family.

William was survived by his wife of 50 years, Teresa Brewer and their son William H. (Tabitha) Brewer, Jr., daughter Erin Brewer and grandchildren, Hailey, Kinsley, Chance and his special furry grandson, Felix.

In the last his last year of life, William also gave a loving home to many feral cats and gained the nickname of “cat whisperer.”

William was born in Landstuhl, Germany, but made his way to Memphis, Tennessee where he graduated from Woodale High School.

Preceded in death by his parents Johnnie and Eva Brewer and son-in-law to be, Deon Brown.

He was also survived by his sisters, Denise Mining Childress, (Larry) and Karen Mining Dobson, Silvia Carver, Renee Gurele-Ward, Julia Runyan and sister-in-law, Janet Pannell. Mr. Brewer also lived as an uncle to Dawn Bass (Larry), John Franklin (Jennifer), and James and Ashley Love.

William made lifelong friends with Robert and Benita Horn, with whom he spent many priceless hours together, laughing and enjoying each other’s company.

William was a servant of his community and that spilled over from his active membership at Connection Church in Mt. Pleasant. Earlier in his life he had long served as a deacon to the church where he was a member in Memphis.

No matter where he was, he was always promoting evangelism and living to see the harvest.

Mr. Brewer started a career with Bell South Communications in Memphis with AT&T Private Line Board, retiring from the Columbia location after 28 years of service with the company.

He was ordained in ministry following completion of his associates degree in theology from Liberty University.

Mr. Brewer maintained an active and full life with hobbies and interests ranging from painting to woodworking and carving. He also loved writing poetry.

William spent many fulfilling days coaching ball teams for his son, and watching daughter Erin’s cheerleading and school activities.

The avid Notre Dame fan that William was, he was able to check one item off of his bucket list when his friend Mike Yates drove him to the Notre Dame campus for a game where he met Heisman trophy winner, Joe Theismann.

Teresa Brewer will cherish the memory of her beloved husband who loved her and so many others, well.

Services for Mr. Brewer will commence at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home in Columbia with a visitation on Monday May 6 from 5 to 8 p.m, followed by a service on Tuesday, May 7 at 1 p.m.

Pallbearers will help lay Mr. Brewer to rest following the service at Polk Memorial Gardens. They include John Sinn, Robert Horn, Bob Jones, Larry Bass and Andy Crosthwait, John Franklin and Drell Brown.